
! 

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i 


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Then came a streak of lightning that was all but 

rage 247. 



LAKEPORT SERIES 


The 

Aircraft Boys of Lakeport 

OR 

Rivals of the Clouds 
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 

Author of “The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport,” “Dave Porter on 
Cave Island,” “Old Glory Series,’* “Pan^ 

American Series,” etc. 

ILLUSTRATED BT H. RICHARD BOEHM 



LOTHROP, 


BOSTON 

LEE & SHEPARD CO. 



Published, August, 1912 



Copyright, 1912, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. 


A// Rights Reserved 


The Aircraft Boys of Lakeport 


/ 


■ftorvlfoc^ 

Berwick. ANr' Smith Co. 
Norwood, Mass. 

U. S. A. 


gCI.A3ao564 „ 


PREFACE 


This story is complete in itself, but forms the 
sixth volume in a line issued under the general 
title of “ Lakeport Series/' 

In the first volume of this series, which was 
called The Gun Club Boys of Lakeport," I told 
how several lads organized their club and went 
forth in the winter time for some sport in the 
woods. 

With the coming of summer the thoughts of these 
boys, and many of their friends, turned to baseball, 
and in the second volume, entitled “ The Baseball 
Boys of Lakeport," I gave the particulars of sev- 
eral contests on the diamond. Then came “ The 
Boat Club Boys of Lakeport," showing how tjje 
youths became the proud possessors of some first- 
class shells and other water craft, and how they 
rowed in several races and won them. 

With the end of the summer came thoughts of 
other sports, and in “ The Football Boys of Lake- 
port " were given the particulars of some hard- 
fought rivalries on the gridiron. 


VI 


PEEFACE 


During all these days many of the boys had 
longed for a touring car in which to make a trip 
through the country surrounding their homes. At 
last came the opportunity to use a fine car, and in 
The Automobile Boys of Lakeport ” I have given 
the details of a trip that was full of mystery as 
well as excitement. Once the boys had to save 
the car from burning up, and another time some 
of their enemies ran away with the machine. 

In the present volume some of the boys take 
up the art of aviation. A few learn how to manage 
biplanes and other flying machines; and the par- 
ticulars are given of a thrilling flight through a 
thunderstorm, a grand long-distance race, and how 
one of the lads disappeared in a most unexpected 
fashion. 

During the present summer I have been much in- 
terested in the efforts to conquer the air, and have 
witnessed the flights of many of our leading bird- 
men, and have examined with great interest the 
various machines used. As yet aviation seems to be 
in its infancy; but since man has at last learned 
how to fly, the working out of the details of the 
science seems to be only a question of time. 

Edward Stratemeyer. 


August ij igi2. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

The Man in the Biplane . 





PAGE 

1 

II. 

Something About the Boys 

. 




II 

III. 

A Strange Discovery 

. 




22 

IV. 

The Old Aviator’s Request 

. 




33 

V. 

The New Owners of the Biplane 




44 

VI. 

In Which Some Old Enemies Appear 



54 

VII. 

Joe Lays down the Law . 





64 

VIII. 

Learning to Fly 





75 

IX. 

Harry in the Air 





85 

X. 

Over the Lake . 





96 

XI. 

A Message of Importance 





106 

XII. 

What the Black Box Contained 




116 

XIII. 

A Matter of Business 





126 

XIV. 

At the Fairgrounds 





137 

XV. 

The Hydro-Aeroplane 





147 

XVI. 

Joe in the Air . 





157 

XVII. 

Mr. Westmore Brings News 





168 

XVIII. 

Link and the Big Kite 





178 

XIX. 

Hunting for the “Skylark” 





189 

XX. 

The Cabin in the Woods . 





199 

XXI. 

A Queer Conversation 





210 

XXII. 

The Old Cistern 





221 

XXIII. 

The First Aircraft Race 



. 

. 

231 


vii 


viii 

CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 


PAGE 

XXIV. 

Caught in a Thunderstorm . 

. 241 

XXV. 

Plans for an Aero Meet 

. 252 

XXVI. 

Harry Learns Something 

. . 262 

XXVII. 

A Strange Discovery 

. 273 

XXVIII. 

To THE Rescue .... 

. 283 

XXIX. 

Preparing for the Big Meet 

. 294 

XXX. 

The Aero Meet— Conclusion 

. 305 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Then came a streak of lightning that was all but dazing 
(page 247) Frontispiece 

PACING 

PAGE 

There, in a heap, rested the aged aviator ... 30 

Si Voup came rushing forth, followed by Ike Boardman 
and the two men 62 

“Hi! hi! Don’t come down on us ! ” . . . . 96 

“And I want all of you to tell me the truth” . . 118 

Then it shot along for several hundred feet on an even 
keel 156 

Then the kite went to pieces, scattering over the 
biplane and hanging there 186 


“Hurrah! the Skylark wins!”. 


312 




;T;,, 







■H-V '* 




'r.t;ir&^A 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS OF 
LAKEPORT 


CHAPTER I 

THE MAN IN THE BIPLANE 

‘‘Speed her up, Joe; we can’t afford to waste 
any time on this auto trip ! ” 

“ We’re making thirty-five miles an hour now, 
Fred,” returned Joe Westmore, who was at the 
wheel of the big six-cylinder touring car that con- 
tained five of the liveliest lads of Lakeport. 

“ Oh, shove her up to forty ! ” cried Harry West- 
more, Joe’s younger brother. “ The road is clear 
and as straight as a string.” 

“ What a pity that you’ve got to give up this 
fine car after this week ! ” sighed Link Harrow, 
as he sank back on the soft cushions of the tonneau. 

“ Never mind, we’ve had some dandy times in 
it this summer,” returned Fred Rush. 

“ Couldn’t be beat,” put in big Bart Mason, who 
had been lolling back with his eyes closed. “ Say, 


2 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

a car like this rides as easy as a Pullman, doesn't 
it?” 

“ Better, I think,” answered Harry. “ Anyway, 
I think you can see the sceiiery better from an auto 
than you can from a railroad car.” 

Well, we needn't complain,” observed Joe, as 
he increased the speed a little. “ It was awfully 
kind of Mr. Corsen to let us use the car at all. 
Now he’s coming back I don’t blame him for want- 
ing it.” 

“ Say, but we certainly did have some adven- 
tures on the road,” observed Harry, as Joe reached 
a turn of the highway and slowed down. “ Remem- 
ber how we were caught in that storm on the moun- 
tain?” 

Yes, and how we were caught by the constable 
of Coville,” added Fred, with a grin. 

The color-blind constable!” put in Joe, and 
then the boys began to laugh at the recollection of 
the countryman who had taken a green car for a 
red one. 

Oh, say I ” burst out Bart, rousing up suddenly. 

Did I tell you fellows the news ? ” 

“ What news ? ” demanded the four others 
quickly. 

“ Early this morning a flying machine passed over 
our house I ” 


THE MAN IN THE BIPLANE 5 


‘‘Cut it out 

“ Throw him out of the car ! ” 

“ Well, we might go Cresco way,’' came from 
Joe. “ But I was thinking ” 

“ Here comes another auto ! ” interrupted Bart. 
“My! what a racket it’s making!” 

Joe had by this time reached the forks of the 
road, and had brought the big touring car to a 
stop, not being sure of which road they wanted 
to take. At the cry from Bart he turned around 
to look back. Then he uttered an exclamation. 

“ Look ! look ! ” He pointed upwards. “ It 
isn’t an auto — it’s the flying machine ! ” 

All gazed in the direction indicated, and there, 
high up in the air, they saw a flying machine mov- 
ing along swiftly. The explosions of the motor 
could be heard plainly, and these had made Bart 
imagine an automobile was coming. 

“ It’s a biplane ! ” exclaimed Harry, as the ma- 
chine came closer. 

“ One man is running her,” added Fred. 

“ Look out, he’s coming this way ! ” yelled Link, 
as the flying machine made a sudden dip in their 
direction. 

“ He’s making a circle,” added Joe, a few sec- 
onds later, as the biplane veered to the westward 
and then came around on a big curve. “ Say, but 


6 THE AIRCRAFT *BOYS 

this is a sight worth seeing ! '' he added, ear- 
nestly. 

'' rd not miss it for ten dollars ! ’’ affirmed his 
brother. 

All the lads had leaped to their feet and touring 
in the car was for the time being forgotten. They 
saw the big biplane, with its snowy canvas stretches, 
cover a big circle and then cut an equally large 
figure eight. Only one man was aboard, an elderly 
individual, with gray hair and a gray beard. 

“ Say, that’s great ! ” murmured Harry, enthusi- 
astically. 

Would you like to run one?” queried Fred. 

“ Indeed I would, Fred ! Look at him skim along 
like a bird ! ” 

“ He’s giving us a private exhibition,” observed 
Link. 

Wonder who he is and where he is from ? ” 
said Bart. ‘‘ I haven’t heard of any aviators around 
Lakeport.” 

“ Oh, they can sail miles in those machines,” 
answered Joe. He may be from some large city 
— out on a trial trip, to see how the biplane acts. 
Maybe he is tuning up for some race.” 

'' I wish he’d come down — I’d like to get a near 
view of the machine,” cried Fred. “ Say, this sort 
of thing beats a balloon all hollow, doesn’t it?” 


THE MAN IN THE BIPLANE 7 

‘‘ Yes, indeed, even a dirigible,” replied Link. 

The biplane had swept off, over some open fields 
and a patch of woodland. Now it came curving 
back, the explosions of the motor becoming louder 
and louder. They could see the gray-haired old 
aviator bending over to one side, as if watching 
some of the machinery. Then the motor stopped 
for a few seconds, to start up again with a louder 
banging than ever. 

“ The engine is missing,” cried Fred. ** Must 
be something the matter with his spark.” 

Look ! look ! ” yelled Harry. 

He had no need to utter the words, for all in 
the touring car were straining their eyes to the 
utmost. They saw the biplane tilt and veer and 
make a dash towards the ground. Then the old 
aviator changed the angle of his elevation rudder, 
and up shot the flying machine towards the clouds. 
Wow! what a narrow escape! ” 

I thought he was coming down sure ! ” 

‘‘ So did I ! Say, flying isn’t so easy after all, 
is it?” 

“If he had come down he would have been 
killed, sure ! ” 

By this time the five lads were worked up to the 
top notch of excitement. Who was this daring 
aviator, and why was he performing in such a 


8 


THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


fashion in this lonely section of the country ? There 
were some farmed fields at hand, but the nearest 
; farmhouse was all but out of sight. 

‘‘ Maybe he is trying to perfect a new kind of 
a plane, or new kind of a motor, and doesn’t 
want any outsider to know about it,” suggested 
Joe. 

“ Here he comes back ! ” cried Fred. “ And look 
how queerly the machine is acting! ” 

Once more the biplane was approaching, this time 
at a height of about a hundred and fifty feet. It 
was swaying from side to side, and the boys could 
plainly see that something had gone wrong. The 
aged aviator was bending to one side, working 
over the engine control. The machine made a dip 
and a dart, and for one brief second the boys 
thought the affair was coming down on their heads. 
Link ducked down in the tonneau of the car and 
big Bart sprawled on top of him. The biplane 
swept within fifty feet of them and the din from 
the motor was terrific. 

“ That engine is running wild, that’s what’s 
the matter!” yelled Joe, when the |j^nger was 
past. 

“ Say, let us get out of here ! ” stammered Bart, 
as he got to his feet again, followed by Link. It’s 
not safe.” 


THE MAN IN THE BIPLANE 9 


None of the others replied, for all were again 
watching the erratic movements of the big biplane. 
First it would turn to one side of the road and 
then the other, and then it made another circle and 
a dip. After that it appeared to shoot straight for 
the clouds. 

‘‘ Either something is wrong or that aviator is 
crazy ! ” declared Joe. ''I don’t know much about 
flying machines, but I know they shouldn’t act that 
way.” 

The motor was still exploding loudly, occasion- 
ally missing fire. The biplane made another circle, 
and this time the boys saw the aviator full in the 
face. He looked pale and alarmed. He seemed to 
shout out something, but what it was they could 
not hear because of the noise from the engine and 
the propellers. The latter were flashing around 
in the sunlight like twin buzz-saws. 

That fellow will end up by wrecking that 
machine and killing himself,” was Joe’s com- 
ment. 

With a final swoop the biplane left the vicinity 
of the road, heading in the direction of what was 
known locally as Owl Lake, a small sheet of water 
deep in the Cresco woods. As it shot away some- 
thing fell from the machine, an oblong metallic 
box. It came crashing down in a tree, bounced off 


10 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


from a limb, dropped to some brushwood, and dis- 
appeared from view. 

Did you see that? ” cried Harry. 

Yes,” answered his brother. 

What was it?” questioned Fred. 

‘‘ It was a box of some sort, a black box,” an- 
swered Link. “ It fell in yonder bushes.” 

'' Let’s go see what it is ! ” cried Bart, and leaped 
from the automobile. The others were equally 
eager to learn what it was that had come down 
from out of the clouds, and all hastened forward 
to the spot where the object had landed. 


CHAPTER II 


SOMETHING ABOUT THE BOYS 

“ I THINK it came down over there ! ” 

No, it struck that tree and bounced off in this 
direction/' 

“ What do you think it was, Joe? ” 

“ I haven't the least idea, Fred. I don't see what 
such an aviator could be carrying in a box." 

“ Maybe it was a tool box," suggested Link as 
he strode on beside his friends. 

“ A tool box would be fastened so it couldn't 
drop, I think," replied Harry. Well, we'll soon 
know. I only hope it wasn’t smashed to pieces by 
the fall." 

‘‘ Maybe he’ll come back for it,” suggested Joe, 
as he looked up in the direction of the biplane. 

“ Doesn't look so now,” replied his brother, as 
the flying machine was all but lost to sight in the 
direction of Owl Lake. 

“ That aviator may not know that he dropped 
anything — being so busy looking after the ma- 
ll 


12 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 

chine,” was Fred’s comment. And then all made 
their way into tht bushes where they thought the 
strange object had dropped. 

To the readers of the former volumes in this 
“ Lakeport Series ” the go-ahead lads already in- 
troduced will need no special introduction. For 
the benefit of others allow me to state that all 
belonged in the town of Lakeport, a bustling little 
place, located at one end of Pine Lake. In this 
town the father of Joe and Harry Westmore was 
the leading grain merchant, and Fred Rush’s parent 
kept a hardware store. Link Harrow was the son 
of the leading carpenter, while Bart Mason’s father 
was interested in various lines of business. 

In my first volume, called “ The Gun Club Boys 
of Lakeport,” I told how Joe, Harry, and Fred or- 
ganized their club, and how they went forth for 
some winter sport in the woods. They took with 
them old Joel Runnell, a well-known hunter, and 
journeyed to Pine Island, near the head of the 
lake. Here the lads had a good time generally and 
incidentally managed to get the better of a miserly 
real-estate dealer who was trying to defraud the 
Westmore family out of some valuable real 
estate. 

With the coming of summer the thoughts of the 
lads turned to baseball. From his father Link got 


ABOUT THE BOYS 


13 


permission to use the upper part of the carpenter 
shop for a meeting place, and there the boys organ- 
ized their ball club, as related in detail in “ The 
Baseball Boys of Lakeport.” On this nine, Joe 
was the pitcher, while Fred was the catcher. Harry 
covered first base and Link second, with big Bart 
on third. A lively lad named Matt Roscoe was 
shortstop, and Walter Bannister was left fielder 
and Frank Pemberton right fielder. Among the 
substitutes was Teddy Dugan, a bright Irish lad, 
witty and loyal to the last degree. The lads played 
some great games, and also had much trouble with 
their rivals. Si Voup and his crony, Ike Boardman. 
Si was rich and a bully, and he and Ike did some 
things that came near getting them into trouble 
with the authorities. 

Not a great many miles from Lakeport was the 
town of Brookside, and there some of the boys, led 
by George Dixon, had organized a boat club. At 
once the others caught the fever.” 

“If Brookside can have a boat club, so can we,” 
declared Harry. 

“ Sure thing/’ returned Paul Shale, whose uncle 
owned a fine sailboat, and who often allowed Paul 
to use the craft. Then came a chance to buy some 
shells and other rowing things at a bargain, and 
how the boys got the outfit, and how they row^ed 


14 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


some great races, has already been related in “ The 
Boat Club Boys of Lakeport.” 

Football is a favorite sport everywhere, and at 
certain times of the year the lads of Lakeport 
found it impossible to keep off the gridiron. They 
joined a football league, as related in “ The Foot- 
ball Boys of Lakeport,^’ being coached by an experi- 
enced man named Carl Bellman. They had an 
uphill fight for the pennant, and once again their 
old enemy. Si Voup, did all in his power to make 
them lose. 

Following the football season had come a winter 
of hard work in school for nearly all the boys, 
livened up only by an outing around the holidays, 
when some of them had gone camping and hunting. 
Then had come spring, and the lads had wondered 
what they would do during the summer. Some 
wanted to play ball while others wanted to row. 

Living on the outskirts of the town was a rich 
gentleman named Munroe Corsen. He had a 
daughter Violet, whom Harry had once saved from 
the savage attack of a bull. Later, Violet was ab- 
ducted by some evil men, who held her hoping 
thereby to make Mr. Corsen do what they wanted. 
The boys got on the trail of the abductors and 
saved the girl and restored her to her parents. For 
this Mr. and Mrs. Corsen were deeply grateful, and 


ABOUT THE BOYS 


15 


the gentleman insisted upon aiding the lads in many 
ways. He had a fine six-cylinder automobile, and 
when he and his family left Lakeport for a tour 
of Europe he asked Joe Westmore how he would 
like to have the use of the car for the time being. 

“First-rate!” cried Joe; and a little later the 
big automobile was turned over to him and his 
brother and their friends. As soon as the boys 
learned how to run the machine they got up a 
party for a long tour, as related in the volume 
preceding this, entitled “ The Automobile Boys of 
Lakeport.” They were followed by the envious 
Si Voup and Ike Boardman, and these unworthies 
did all they could, as usual, to spoil things. But 
once again the bully and his crony were outwitted, 
and then they returned home in disgust. 

Following the long tour had come several shorter 
ones, Joe taking out the various members of the 
baseball and football teams, and the rowing club, 
and also some others, including his sister Laura 
and Cora Runnell, the daughter of the old hunter. 
Then had come word that the Corsen family were 
coming back and he knew that the big touring car 
would soon have to be returned to its owner. 

“ Let us have what fun we can with it,” he said 
to some of the others, and then Harry and Fred 
proposed an all-day tour around the lake. Link 


16 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


and Bart were invited to go along, and the five 
lads took with them a substantial lunch to eat on 
the way. 

For an hour the boys in the automobile had 
rolled along over the roads, all enjoying themselves 
hugely. Then had come the discovery of the bi- 
plane and the aged aviator, the eccentric flying of 
the machine, and then the falling of the object into 
the bushes. 

'' It certainly struck that tree,” remarked Harry, 
as he pushed forward. “ See where it broke off 
two of the smaller limbs.” 

“ Then it must have bounced off in this direc- 
tion,” returned his brother, turning to the right. 

“ Wow ! look out for the thorns ! ” burst out 
Fred, who was somewhat stout and therefore not 
so well able to get between the bushes. 

Joe had noticed the broken tops of some bushes 
not far from the tree and thither he made his way. 
Then he caught sight of ^ dark, square object 
caught between several upright branches, and he 
uttered a cry: 

There it is ! ” 

'‘What is it?” queried Link and Bart in a 
breath. 

" A black tin box, the kind they use for bank 
papers.” 


ABOUT THE BOYS 


17 


“ Oh, maybe it’s got money in it ! ” gasped Harry. 

How much do you suppose?” panted Fred, 
trying to worm his way from out of some bushes 
where he was stuck. 

“ I don’t believe there is any money in it,” an- 
swered Joe. “ What would that man be doing with 
a box of money in a biplane?” 

“ He might be a bank robber,” suggested Link. 

Not that man,” answered Harry. . “ Why, he 
was quite old.” 

‘‘Well, criminals get old, don’t they?” 

By this time Joe had managed to get within 
reaching distance of the black tin box. It was 
tightly wedged between the stalks of the bushes and 
he had considerable difficulty in dislodging it. It 
was scratched in several places and one side was 
dented in, but otherwise it was in good condition. 

“ What is in it ? ” asked Link, impatiently, as all 
gathered around their leader, for such Joe had 
always been. 

Joe did not answer at once. He turned the box 
over several times. At one end were the initials 
A. A. A. 

“ Go on and open it, Joe,” put in Fred, who was 
as impatient as Link. Indeed all in the crowd were 
anxious to know what the box contained. 

On one side of the box was a tiny keyhole. But 


18 


THE AIKCRAFT BOYS 


the key was missing. Joe tried in vain to pull up 
the cover. 

‘‘ It’s locked,” he said, at last. 

“ Oh, pshaw ! Can’t you open it at all ? ” pleaded 
Link. 

“ Not without a key.” 

“ Here, try my bunch,” cried Bart, and brought 
forth a ring full of keys of various kinds. But 
none was small enough for that box. 

Have we a right to open the box ? ” said Harry. 

Remember, it belongs to that aviator.” 

'' It does if he is Mr. A. A. A.,” put in Fred. 
“ Maybe that stands for Ancient American Avi- 
ators,” he added, and this sally caused a short 
laugh. 

“ Perhaps we had better not try to open it,” said 
Joe. “ It may contain documents that A. A. A. 
would not want us to see. We had better look for 
that flying machine. He’ll be coming back when 
he learns that his box is missing.” 

The matter was discussed for a few minutes and 
the others agreed that Joe was right. All made 
their way back to the automobile. There Harry 
took the box and shook it. 

Papers of some kind,” he announced. Pa- 
pers — or banknotes ! ” 

“ Supposing it is full of banknotes, and that 


ABOUT THE BOYS 


19 


fellow never comes back for it,” cried Link, his 
eyes glistening. What a find ! Well be entitled 
to divide, won’t we? ” 

“ Don’t be silly, Link,” replied Harry. “ He’ll 
be back, don’t worry.” 

“ If he didn’t fall and break his neck,” mur- 
mured Bart. ‘‘ That was sure the craziest flying 
I ever heard about.” 

Now that the boys were back in the automobile 
they scarcely knew what to do. The black tin box 
was placed in the tonneau. 

I’ll tell you what we might do,” suggested 
Harry. '' We might follow that side road up to 
Owl Lake and see if we can spot the biplane around 
there. The road is pretty good. I was on it once 
with a bicycle, with Paul Shale.” 

What would that aviator be doing at Owl 
Lake?” asked his brother. I don’t believe he 
could land there — it’s too full of rocks and bushes.” 

“ Well, he went that way, anyway,” returned 
the younger Westmore. 

The others were in favor of following the road 
to Owl Lake, and soon the automobile was on the 
way, Joe driving the car as before. They had to 
proceed slowly, for the road had many turns and 
was not nearly so smooth as the highway they had 
left. 


20 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


It was a full two miles to the little lake nestling 
among the hills. Most of the way was between 
the trees, but there were some cleared patches, and 
when these were gained all in the touring car would 
look skyward, hoping for a sight of the flying ma- 
chine. But not a trace of the biplane was to be 
seen. 

Well, here we are,” announced Joe at last, as 
they came in view of the water. 

‘‘ And not a sign of the flying machine,” said 
Link. 

“Are you going back, or going ahead?” ques- 
tioned Fred. 

“ I don’t know anything about the road,” an- 
swered Joe. 

“ Humph ! I guess it ends here,” cried Harry. “ I 
don’t see any more of it.” And he was right, the 
wood road ran no further. 

The boys got out and walked along the shore 
of the lake, and also scanned the sky. There was 
no breeze and not a leaf was stirring. It was ex- 
tremely quiet. 

“If that motor was going we could hear it miles 
off, was Bart’s conclusion. “ I reckon we may 
as well go back.” 

“ But the box ” began Fred. 

“ We can take it home,” answered Joe. “ I guess 


A STKANGE DISCOVERY 23 


and started through the bushes in the direction Joe 
had pointed out. 

The others were not slow to follow, Joe linger- 
ing just long enough to see that the power was 
well shut off and the hand brake applied. Fred led 
the way, with Harry close behind and the others not 
far off. 

“ I don’t see anything of it, do you? ” remarked 
the stout youth, after several rods had been covered. 

“ That motor was a long distance off,” answered 
the younger Westmore boy. “ The air is so clear 
here that the sound carries a long way.” 

On and on they went, getting deeper and deeper 
into the woods. Several times they stopped to 
listen and once they thought they heard a faint 
cry for help. But this seemed to come from behind, 
not in front, of them. 

“ Hello ! hello ! Where are you ? ” yelled Bart, 
with all the ggwer of his lungs. But no reply came 
to this appeal. 

The boys did not know whether to go on or 
not. All came to a halt in a little glade and gazed 
questiofiingly at each other. 

Well, we certainly heard it,” said Harry. 

“ And it was in this direction,” added his brother. 

It can’t be far away,” said Fred. Say, why 
not scatter around ? ” 


24 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


‘‘And get lost,” put in Link. He had been lost 
in the woods more than once and did not relish the 
prospect. 

“ Pooh ! We can keep within calling distance of 
each other,” answered the stout youth. 

They commenced to separate, Joe and Harry 
moving to the northward. Here there was a growth 
of saplings, close together, and the brothers had 
no easy task to get through. 

“ I see something! ” cried Harry, a few minutes 
later. 

“ It’s the flying machine! ” burst out Joe. “ It’s 
caught directly on the top of those small trees! ” 

“ Is the man in it? ” 

“ I don’t see him.” 

The Westmore boys dashed forward, at the same 
time shouting to their chums to join them. Soon 
all the lads were under the trees, gazing curiously 
at the big biplane overhead. The machine rested 
almost as evenly on the trees as the top of a table 
rests on its legs. Some of the canvas planes were 
slitted, and one of the rubber-tired wheels on which 
it was rolled when on the ground was bent, but 
otherwise the contrivance looked to be uninjured. 

“ Wonder where that old aviator can be? ” mur- 
mured Bart. 

“ He’s either around here or he tumbled out be- 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 25 


fore the machine came down/’ answered Joe. “ Let 
us hunt around for him. He may have been 
knocked unconscious, or killed.” 

For fully a quarter of an hour the boys searched 
the vicinity, without getting the slightest trace of 
the man who had been manipulating the biplane. 
Then they commenced to search further. But it 
was of no avail. 

He isn’t here, that’s certain,” was Harry’s 
comment. He must have fallen out some distance 
back.” 

‘‘ We might try to follow up the way the ma- 
chine came,” suggested Bart. 

“ You’d have a hard job,” answered Link. 

Why, that aviator made it turn and twist like a 
snake ! ” 

Well, the way it landed it must have come 
from that direction,” said Fred, pointing to the 
northward. 

Owl Lake is over that way, and he didn’t come 
from there,” replied Harry. “ If he had, we should 
have seen him.” 

The boys returned to the vicinity of the biplane 
and talked the matter over. What to do next they 
did not know. 

'' We’ll have to notify the authorities of this,” 
said Joe, at last. Somebody will have to make 


26 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 

a regular search for that man, and without delay. 
If he fell and got hurt he may need immediate 
medical assistance. And if he’s dead, they ought 
to find his body.” 

And don’t forget we have that black tin box,” 
added his brother. We’ll have to do something 
about that.” 

** Maybe he’s in the machine, hidden by one of 
the planes,” said Bart. One of us ought to climb 
up and make sure.” 

“ I don’t think he’s up there,” answered Joe. 
** Still, it wouldn’t do any harm to climb up and 
look. I’ll go up.” 

Take care that the flying machine doesn’t come 
down on your head,” cautioned Fred. '' It might 
slip, you know, when you least expected it.” 

I’ll be on my guard.” 

With anxious eyes the other lads watched Joe 
climb one of the small trees upon which the biplane 
rested. Soon he was beside the biplane and then 
he crawled out on a tree limb, so that he could see 
the seat and the engine. 

Nobody up here ! ” he called down. 
must have tumbled out before the machine 
landed.” 

'' Is there anything up there to tell who he is ? ” 
called Bart. 


A STRANOE DISCOVERY 27 

As well as he was able Joe looked the biplane 
over. He saw where the wires from the battery 
had caught in the tree and become broken, thus 
stopping the engine. Had this not occurred the 
motor would most likely have kept on running until 
the gasoline was used up. 

“ All I can see are those initials, A. A. A.,” Joe 
called down. “ This machine and that black box 
belong to the same person.” 

'‘Nothing else — no card, or address?” shouted 
his brother. 

“ Not that I can see from where I stand. We 
might find something if the biplane was on the 
ground.” 

" Well, we can’t get it down, at least not now,” 
said Fred. " Besides, we had better find the owner 
first. Maybe he wouldn’t want us to touch the 
outfit.” 

joe took another look at the flying machine and 
then rejoined his companions. Once more there 
was a consultation. 

" I don’t know of anything to do but to go on 
to Cresco and notify the authorities,” said Joe. 
" We are closer to that town than we are to Lake- 
port.” 

" Supposing that man never shows up for his 
flying machine,” suggested his brother. 


28 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


“ Then it will belong to us — for we found it ! 
cried Link. 

“ Joe and Harry found it,” said Fred, quickly. 

Well, I mean them,” answered the carpenter’s 
son. “ I don’t think we ought to turn the machine 
over to the authorities.” 

“ Oh, don’t bother about that now ! ” cried Harry. 

I guess we’ll find that man, or some of his rela- 
tives. Why, for all we know, he may be some well- 
known aviator.” 

Slowly the boys walked back to the automobile. 
As they came in sight of the machine they saw a 
man sitting on the front seat, smoking a pipe. The 
man had a fishing rod and a basket with him. 

Hello, it’s Joel Runnell ! ” cried Harry. ‘‘ How 
are you ? ” he sang out. 

Pretty well, everything considered,” answered 
the old hunter. '' I knowed this was your machine 
an’ that you couldn’t be far off, so I sot down to 
take it comfortable till you come back.” 

Been fishing?” asked Joe. 

'' Yes, up the Big Woods brook. But fishin’ is 
poor just now,” was the old hunter’s answer, as 
he knocked the ashes from his pipe. How be 
you boys, anyway?” And he smiled broadly, for 
he liked them all very much. 

Oh, we’re all right,” answered Joe. Did you 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 29 


see anything of a flying machine while you were 
fishing?” he went on eagerly. 

“ Flyin’ machine? No. Wot put that in your 
head, Joe? ” 

We saw one, run by an old, gray-haired man. 
He dropped a box and we picked it up. Now we’ve 
found the machine over in the woods, but the man 
is missing.” 

‘‘Great wildcats! You don’t tell me!” gasped 
Joel Runnell. And then he asked for the particu- 
lars, to which he listened with close attention. 

“ Must have fell out,” was his comment. “ An’ 
got killed, most likely.” 

“ We hope not,” answered Harry. “ We wish 
we could find him.” 

“ You yelled, didn’t you? ” 

“ Oh, yes, a number of times.” 

“ Then he’s most likely as dead as a doornail. 
And why wouldn’t he be? Failin’ out o’ one of 
them contraptions is wuss nor failin’ off a church 
steeple, believe me ! ” 

“ Well, I guess it’s about as bad,” answered Joe, 
gravely. “We don’t know what to do, excepting 
to notify the authorities at Cresco, or Lakeport, 
or Brookside.” 

“ Let us take another look around Owl Lake,” 
suggested Harry. 


30 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


'' That wouldn’t do no harm,” returned Joed 
Runnell. '' If you want me to, I’ll go along.” 

“ Why, come on, if you wish,” was the ready 
reply. 

Soon the boys and the old hunter were scattered 
around the lake. While some followed a path lead- 
ing to the east, the others took that leading the 
other way. 

At the far end of the lake was a small stream 
known as Brown’s Brook, lined on either side with 
blackberry bushes. Where the stream emptied into 
the lake was a hunters’ lodge, now deserted. 

Hark ! ” exclaimed Harry, as he and his 
brother, with Fred and the old hunter, came in 
sight of the lodge. I thought I heard somebody 
call!” 

All listened and from some bushes came a faint 
moan. The boys gave a call and another moan 
was the answer. 

It must be the man ! ” exclaimed Joe, and ran 
forward, followed by the others. 

As the crowd rounded some bushes they came 
upon a strange sight. There, in a heap, rested 
the aged aviator. He was capless, wet through and 
through, and his face and hands were scratched 
and bleeding. One leg was doubled under him, 
as if wrenched or broken. 


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There, in a heap, rested the aged aviator. — Page 30 . 



A STRANGE DISCOVERY 31 

Thank Providence somebody has come!’’ he 
murmured. “ Oh, help me I Get a doctor, or 
somebody ! I am about smashed to pieces I ” And 
then he gave another groan and sank back in the 
bushes, all but overcome. 

He’s putty hard hit, I reckon,” was Joel Run- 
nell’s comment, as he made a hasty examination. 

Let us bind up that cut on his head,” said Joe. 
“ His arms seem to be all right, but that one leg 
is in bad shape.” 

Fortunately the boys had had some lessons in 
first aid to the injured, so they knew a little about 
how to go to work. They got out their handker- 
chiefs and Harry tore off the sleeves of his linen 
shirt, and with the cloths they bound up some of 
the wounded man’s hurts. The medical kit taken 
on the auto tour was still in the machine and Fred 
ran for this, and then the wounds were washed 
and bathed in witch-hazel, and the sufferer was 
given a stimulant. 

Let us carry him to the cabin,” suggested Joel 
Runnell. “ We can lay him on one of the cots. 
I know Tom Mason won’t mind.” Tom Mason 
was a rich man of Brookside who owned the lodge. 

'' Yes, and we’ll take the auto and get a doctor,” 
put in Harry. 

'' I don’t want a doctor! ” cried the old aviator, 


32 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


rousing up. They are all butchers ! I know ’em ! 
They’ll want to put me in the hospital and saw my 
leg off, or something like that! Just you let me 
rest and I’ll be all right.” 

But your leg — it seems to be broken,” said 

Joe- 

I guess it’s twisted, that’s all. No, don’t get 
a doctor — I hate ’em! They killed my wife! I’ll 
be all right in a few days. Only take me to some 
place where I can rest, and get food.” And then 
the injured man suddenly gave a gasp and sank 
back unconscious. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE OLD aviator’s REQUEST 

Now, what do you think of that ! ” gasped 
Harry. 

Maybe he’s crazy,” whispered Fred. He cer- 
tainly ran the biplane like a crazy man.” 

I don’t think he is crazy,” said Joe. “ But he 
hates doctors — probably because his wife died 
through an operation, or something like that. Well, 
if he doesn’t want one, I don’t know what we are 
to do.” 

“ It looks to me like we ought to git a doctor 
anyway,” was the old hunter’s comment. We 
can’t let him die on our hands.” 

Let us take him to the lodge first,” answered 

Joe. 

With care they lifted the unconscious man and 
carried him down to the cabin. Joel Runnell knew 
where the key to the door was hidden and soon 
they were inside the place. A cot was handy, with 
blankets, and on this they placed the aged aviator. 

33 


34 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


A moment later he opened his eyes and tried to sit 
up, staring around wildly as he did so. 

'‘You — you didn’t get that doctor, did you?” 
he gasped. " I don’t want him to come near me ! ” 
He gazed at the others, who had arrived. 

" No, we haven’t any doctor,” replied Joe, sooth- 
ingly. " Now just keep quiet and we’ll try to find 
out how badly you are hurt.” 

" I will — but don’t get a doctor,” murmured the 
sufferer, and sank back and dosed his eyes. 

The boys and the old hunter made an examina- 
tion and concluded that no bones were broken. One 
leg had been wrenched both, at the knee and the 
ankle, and this was bathed in hot water and then 
bound up in witch-hazel. Joel Runnell carried a 
can of cold coffee in his fishing basket, and 
this was heated up and the sufferer drank it 
eagerly. 

“ He’s a pretty old man to be an aviator,” was 
Bart’s comment. 

" He can be thankful he wasn’t killed, if he fell 
from the machine,” returned Link. 

" And to think he doesn’t want a doctor ! ” mused 
Fred. “ I’d want a couple of ’em if I was in his 
condition ! ” . 

" Well, I guess we’ve got to humor him,” an- 
swered Joe. 


THE AVIATOR’S REQUEST 35 

“ Who is going to take care of him, if he won’t 
have a doctor? ” asked Bart. 

‘‘ We might take turns at it,” suggested Harry. 
“ But we’d have to let the folks know.” 

The old aviator had dozed off, and while he was 
thus resting the boys got their lunch from the auto- 
mobile and brought it to the lodge. Some of the 
food they put aside for the hurt man and then they 
fell to eating, along with the old hunter, and all 
discussed the situation. 

‘‘ Here is his name and address, anyway,” said 
Joe, looking over an empty envelope that had 
dropped from the man’s pocket. ‘ Andrew A. 
Akers, Bralham.’ ” 

“Bralham!” cried Fred. That is where we 
used to play football! I didn’t know any aviators 
lived there.” 

Maybe this man simply got his letters there,” 
suggested Link. 

“ Oh, he may have his hangar there, as they call 
’em,” said Joe. “ You must remember that avi- 
ators are springing up all over the country, just 
like autoists did a few years ago. I dare say in 
a few years more flying machines will be as nu- 
merous as autos.” 

“ But not as safe,” returned Bart, with a grin. 

‘‘ Perhaps. Of course it will take time to get 


36 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


them just right, just as it took time to get the 
bicycles right. Don’t you remember the first ones, 
about six feet high, with a little bit of wheel be- 
hind? A fellow could easily break his neck riding 
one of that kind.” 

For over an hour the aged aviator seemed to 
doze. Then of a sudden he opened his eyes once 
more and stared around wildly. 

“ The box — my box ! ” he gasped. Where is 
my precious box ? ” 

'' Do you mean a black tin box ? ” asked Joe, 
bending over him. 

''Yes! yes! It dropped from the biplane! Oh, 

I must find that box! It contains all But 

never mind that ! I must find it ! Oh, go and hunt 
for it, please ! ” 

" We’ve got the box for you, Mr. Akers.” 

" Ah ! you know me ? ” The old aviator stared 
at the youth. " I don’t remember you.” 

" You are Mr. Andrew Akers, are you 
not?” 

" I am.” 

. " And you lost a black tin box, marked A. A. 
A.?” 

" Yes! yes!” 

"We found the box. We saw it drop and went 
after it.” 


THE AVIATOR’S REQUEST 37 

And — and it — it is all right ? — not broken open 
— ^the papers scattered 

The box is a bit dented, that’s all. It was 
locked, so we didn’t open it.” 

Yes ! yes ! Good ! Where is it ? ” 

“ I have it right here. But please don’t excite 
yourself ” 

Give me the box, boy, give me the box ! ” 

The box had been brought from the automobile 
when the lads went for the lunch. Joe handed it 
over to the aged man, who clutched it eagerly. 
His eyes lit up with pleasure when he saw that it 
was intact. 

‘\Oh, I am so thankful! ” he munnured. You 
see, I have enemies, and so when I went on my 
trips I always carried the box with me, for I was 
afraid to leave it behind. I had it tied fast, but the 
cord broke and the box dropped. Then I had 
trouble with the engine, and with the steering gear, 
and then everything seemed to go wrong. I tried 
to fix the steering gear, and just as I was doing 
that the biplane gave a sudden tilt and I was thrown 
out. I landed in a tree and then fell in the water, 
and had all I could do to keep from drowning. 
At last I crawled out and then I got to where you 
found me.” 

And your machine sailed on ? ” 


38 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ Yes, the motor was running, and I don’t know 
where it went to — and I don’t care ! ” added An- 
drew Akers, emphatically. 

You don’t care?” cried Harry. 

'' Not a rap ! I am done with aviation ! Being 
a machinist and something of an inventor, I thought 
I could improve on the biplanes in use, but now I am 
done with them. I prefer to remain on the ground 
and die a natural death.” 

But that biplane is worth money ! ” cried Joe. 

I know it, but I don’t care. Whoever finds the 
machine can have it. I never want to set eyes on 
it again.” 

We found it ! ” cried Harry. It’s stuck in the 
tops of some trees.” 

All right, let it stick there until the crack of 
doom — for all I care ! ” murmured the aged avi- 
ator, and then he sank back once more, his precious 
black box clasped tightly in his arms. 

Now, what do you think of that ! ” cried Harry. 

He doesn’t want the flying machine any more ! 
He says we can have it ! ” 

“ Oh, he didn’t mean it,” returned Joe, calmly. 

He’s excited now. After he gets over this dose 
he’ll be as eager as ever to go up. I know how I’d 
feel myself.” 

‘‘ But if he doesn’t want the biplane, Joe ” 


THE AVIATOR’S REQUEST 39 

“ Would you want it, Harry ? ” 

Maybe. It would be great to learn how to 
fly! ” 

And break your neck,” broke in Bart. No 
flying for yours truly I ” And he shook his head 
decidedly. 

That machine must be worth money,” said 
Fred. “ Why, I read about some of 'em costing 
thousands of dollars.” 

Oh, they cost enough, you can be sure of that,” 
said Link. “ Look at the fine motor — like that of 
an automobile — and look at the propellers, and the 
bamboo frame and airtight cloth, — and the bicycle 
wheels on the bottom.” 

‘‘ Even if you had the machine, you couldn't fly 
it,” went on Bart. 

“ A fellow could learn — I know Joe could learn. 
See how easily he learned to run the auto,” said 
Fred. 

“Would you go up, Fred?” 

“ Sure — after I got the hang of it. But I'd want 
to be sure of what I was doing — or trying to 
do.” 

“ I don't believe there is anything sure about 
aviation,” said the doubting Bart. “ If you stay up, 
all right; if you drop, it's all wrong; and there you 
are. 


40 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


You couldn’t hire me to go up — not even in a 
balloon/’ put in Joel Runnell. “ When I fly I’ll 
do it on the ground — or on the water.” 

The boys and the old hunter sat around outside 
the cabin, talking about the accident and about old 
times when the lads had gone hunting and fishing 
with Joel Runnell. They asked him about his 
daughter and learned that she was away, on a visit 
to some relatives. 

I am all alone at home,” said the old hunter. 

So, if I am needed here, I can stay as well as 
not.” 

About four o’clock in the afternoon the old avi- 
ator roused up again. He now seemed much better 
and spoke quite rationally. He said that he was 
sure he needed nothing but rest and food, and that 
if somebody would remain at the lodge to wait on 
him he would pay for the services. 

“ But don’t you want us to notify your family, 
or friends ? ” asked Joe. 

“ I have no family,” replied Andrew Akers. I 
am practically alone in the world. I have a few 
relatives, but they are too far off to be reached for 
several days. I have some enemies, and I prefer 
not to let them know of my mishap, or where I am 
located.” And he smiled somewhat bitterly. 

“Do you want me to nurse you?” asked Joel 


THE AVIATOE’S BEQUEST 41 

Runnell. “ I am an old hunter and have took care 
o’ sick men in camp more’n onct.” 

Then I guess you will be just the man! ” cried 
the aged aviator, eagerly. “ Take care of me and 
I will pay you well.” 

I won’t ask for no pay — only you can pay the 
store bills, — and fer usin’ the cabin, if Tom Mason 
wants pay.” 

‘'Tom Mason — did you say Tom Mason!” 
gasped the hurt man. 

“ Yes.” 

“ What has he to do with this place — with my 
being here ? ” 

“ Why, this is Tom’s cabin — he built it for use 
when he takes an outing.” 

“ His place ! That man ! ” murmured Andrew 
Akers. “ It must be fate ! • But, no, I won’t stay 
here — I can’t ! ” He looked at the boys and the 
old hunter. “ Take me away from here! Take me 
away at once ! ” he pleaded. 

“ Away from here ? ” several of them asked in 
surprise. 

“ Yes ! yes ! if this is Tom Mason’s place ! I want 

nothing to do with that man ! He is my But 

never mind that. But I want to go away, I must 
go away.” 

In his eagerness the aged aviator tried to get up. 


42 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 

But he was too weak, and he fell back with a 
groan. 

'' This is certainly strange,” remarked Joe. “ He 
seems to have a great grudge against Mr. Mason. 
I wonder why? ” 

He said he had enemies,” suggested Harry. 
“ Maybe Mr. Mason is one of them.” 

Mason is a close-fisted man — Fve heard my 
father say that,” said Link. He did some car- 
penter work for him and had hard work getting his 
money.” 

If we could get him to the auto we might take 
him to my home,” said Joel Runnell. “ That is, 
provided he was willin’ to go.” 

“ Yes, I’ll go to your house ! ” cried the hurt man, 
rousing again. Anywhere but in a place belong- 
ing to Tom Mason! ” 

We have an automobile not far away,” ex- 
plained Joe. “ We could carry you to that, and 
then take you to Mr. Runnell’s home, where he 
could give you every care. Maybe he could get 
you a trained nurse ” 

“ I don’t want any trained nurse — no women 
folks and no doctors,” grumbled the aged aviator. 
“ He’ll be good enough. If you can carry me to 
that auto I guess I can stand it.” 

Let us take him on the cot,” suggested Joe. 


THE AVIATOR’S REQUEST 43 

“ We can bring the cot back afterwards; ” and so 
it was arranged. 

Half an hour later saw the auto, with the boys, 
the old hunter, and Andrew Akers, on the way 
to Cresco. They took a side road, so as not to 
attract attention, and presently reached the modest 
home that belonged to Joel Runnell. Here the aged 
aviator was put to bed, and then the boys prepared 
to leave, for it was growing late. 

‘‘ Well come again to-morrow,” said Joe. 

“ Yes ! yes ! ” replied Andrew Akers, eagerly. ‘‘ I 
want to see you. And please remember, not a word 
of this mishap to Tom Mason, not a word!” 

We’ll have to tell our folks,” said Joe. 

You may do that. But please ask them to keep 
the affair quiet — very quiet,” said Andrew Akers; 
and then he sank back on the bed, once more ex- 
hausted. 


CHAPTER V 


THE NEW OWNERS OF THE BIPLANE 

Well, it is certainly a queer case,” was Joe’s 
comment, as the five boys rode home in the Corsen 
touring car. “ Either that man is a bit off in his 
head or he has good reasons for keeping out of 
Mr. Thomas Mason’s way.” 

He was mightily glad to get that black box 
back,” returned his brother. It must be very val- 
uable.” 

‘‘If it is, Joel Runnell ought to take good care 
of it for him until he is well,” put in Fred. “ Maybe 
it ought to be placed in some safe-deposit vault.” 

“ Oh, I guess it will be safe enough at the Run- 
nell place,” remarked Link. “ They seldom have 
visitors, especially when Cora is away. Joel is a 
fellow who keeps by himself.” 

“ I think we ought to respect Mr. Akers’s wishes 
and say nothing to any outsiders about this whole 
affair — at least for the present,” continued the elder 
Westmore boy. “Of course we can tell our folks, 
44 


NEW OWNERS OF BIPLANE 45 

but we’ll ask them to keep it quiet, too.” And the 
lads all agreed to do this. 

Various were the comments when the five boys 
got home and told their story. Neither Mr. West- 
more nor Mr. Rush had ever heard of the aged 
aviator, and both knew little about Mr. Thomas 
Mason, excepting that he was supposed to be a 
close-fisted business man. 

“ I think he is interested in several manufactur- 
ing companies,” said the hardware dealer. '' But 
I don’t know what dealings he can have with this 
Mr. Akers.” 

My idea of it is that Mr. Akers is one of 
those inventors who has allowed his inventions to 
run away with him,” said Mr. Westmore. “ Some 
men of that sort go partly insane over their ideas, 
and that makes them imagine everybody they have 
business with is trying to swindle them.” 

From Bart the other boys got no news, but when 
they met Link he had quite a story to tell. 

As I said before, dad knows quite a little about 
Mr. Mason,” said the carpenter’s son. He never 
met this Andrew Akers, but he thinks he is an old 
man who is interested with Mason in a novelty- 
manufacturing company of Springfield. The com- 
pany had a good deal of trouble once, and Mason 
was accused of trying some underhanded work. 


46 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Dad thinks that maybe he was trying to get Akers’s 
stock away from him, or something like that.” 

All of the boys had various chores to do in the 
morning, but directly after dinner they met at the 
Westmore home and traveled by touring car to 
Cresco. 

‘‘How is he?” was Joe’s question, when Joel 
Runnell came to the door of the cottage to let 
them in. 

“ He’s putty weak,” was the old hunter’s reply. 
“ He got shook up more’n he thought for, I 
reckon.” 

“ Can we see him ? ” asked Harry. 

“ Oh, yes, he’s been a-askin’ for you boys sev- 
eral times.” 

All of the lads entered the house. They found 
Andrew Akers propped up in bed. He looked pale 
and weak. But he gave them a faint smile and 
insisted upon shaking hands all around. 

“ You boys were very good to me yesterday, and 
I’ve not forgotten it,” he said. “ If you hadn’t 
come to my assistance — you and Mr. Runnell — I’m 
afraid I might have died. And then you got my 
box, too. That was woijth much to me.” 

“ Mr. Akers, don’t you w^sh us to place the box 
in some bank for you until you get well?” asked 
Joe. 


NEW OWNERS OF BIPLANE 47 


“ No ! no ! ril take care of the box, don’t worry 
about that. I had some money in a bank once and 
the bank closed and I lost all but ten per cent, of 
it. No, I’ll look after my box. I’m going to hide 
it where nobody can find it.” And for the moment 
the face of the aged aviator took on a cunning look. 

'‘Are you going to stay here?” asked Fred. 

" Yes, until I am perfectly well. I have made 
the necessary arrangements with Mr. Runnell, and 
I find he is a good nurse and a fine cook. Fd 
rather have him around than any women folks, or 
trained nurses, or doctors.” 

" Can we do anything for you?” asked Bart. 

" I don’t think you can.” 

" Send any letters, or telegrams, or anything like 
that?” put in the carpenter’s son. 

" No, I wish to send word to no one. It would 
do no good, for, as I told you yesterday, my rel- 
atives are too far off to aid me. I know that 
under Mr. Runnell’s care I shall get along very 
well.” 

" What would you like done with your flying 
machine ? ” asked Joe. 

" Didn’t I tell you yesterday that I never wanted 
to see it again ! ” cried Andrew Akers. " I am 
through with aviation, and have taken a vow never 
to go up in a flying machine again. It was foolish 


48 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


for me to take it up, at my time in life. Aviation 
is meant for a younger generation. I said whoever 
found the biplane could have it.” 

‘‘ Joe and Harry found it,” said Fred. 

Then it is theirs — if they want it.” 

Oh, we were all together!” cried Joe. 

“Of course we were!” added Harry, who 
wanted no benefit his chums could not share. 

“ But, Mr. Akers, that biplane is worth money,” 
insisted Joe. “ You ought not to give it away.” 

“ It is my property and I can do as I please with 
it. The machine, with the numerous experiments 
I have made with it and in it, cost me several thou- 
sands of dollars. But if I was to offer it for sale, 
stuck up there in the trees, as you say, what would 
I get for it? Next to nothing. The engine might 
bring a hundred dollars or so, and that’s all. Now 
I want to reward you boys for what you did for 
me, so if you are willing to accept the biplane, 
supposing we let it go at that ? ” 

“We didn’t expect any reward— at least, I 
didn’t,” said Harry. 

“ Nor I,” came from each of the others. 

“ But I want to do something,” insisted Andrew 
Akers. “ I’d give you some money, but I have 
very little with me — only enough to pay my ex- 
penses here. I can afford to give you the biplane 


NEW OWNEES OF BIPLANE 49 


— and if you don’t want to use it — and I suppose 
you don’t — you can take it apart and sell it, 
and divide the proceeds. That’s fair, isn’t it, 
boys ? ” 

“ We don’t want to rob you,” murmured Fred. 

It is no robbery, my boy. The biplane is yours, 
to do with as you please,” answered the aged man. 

Oh, don’t think I can’t afford to give it away,” 
he went on, with a faint smile. “ I am fairly well 

off, and this black box of mine ” He stopped 

short. “ Never mind that. The flying machine 
is yours, it belongs equally to the five of you. Sell 
it, or use it, as you please. But if you use it, take 
care that you don’t have a tumble, as I did ! ” 

Well, if you want us to take it ” began 

Harry. 

I do — I insist upon it. Mr. Runnell, have you 
ink and a sheet of paper? ” 

Yes, sir.” 

“ Very well. One of you boys write what I dic- 
tate,” said Andrew Akers. And a few minutes 
later a paper was drawn up, stating that the bi- 
plane, A. A. A., nov/ located in the woods back of 
Cresco, was the free and clear property of Andrew 
A. Akers and that he hereby gave the flying ma- 
chine to the five boys outright, mentioning each by 
name. This paper the aged aviator signed, and 


50 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


he insisted that Joel Runnell be a witness to 
his signature. Then he handed the paper to 
Joe. 

Now I feel better,” he said, with a faint smile. 

Fve gotten rid of a property I never want to see 
or hear of again, and I have given you lads some- 
thing of a reward for what you did for me. Later 
on, I shall reward Mr. Runnell also.” 

All of the boys thanked the aged man for his 
kindness. Then, seeing that he was growing tired, 
they withdrew, promising to call again, to see how 
he was progressing. 

‘‘ ril be glad to see you,” answered Andrew 
Akers. “ But promise me one thing. Don’t men- 
tion that biplane. I want to forget it entirely and 
turn my attention to inventions that are more profit- 
able.” And each of the lads agreed to do as he 
desired. 

As the boys filed out of the cottage and entered 
the touring car they looked at each other with eyes 
full of anticipation. But not a word was said until 
they were on the road once more. 

Just to think, that flying machine is ours ! ” 
cried Harry. 

“ My, but won’t we have some gay old times 
with it! ” added Fred. 

‘‘ Provided we can learn to run it,” put in Joe. 


NEW OWNERS OF BIPLANE 51 


“ And our folks will let us try it,” came from 
Link. 

It may not be in condition to run,” said Bart, 
slowly. '' The canvas planes were torn, and one 
wheel bent, and the engine may be broken. Be- 
sides, I — er — I don’t know if I want to go up or 
not,” he added, slowly. “ It might be safer if we 
could sell the thing and get an auto with the money 
— now we’ve got to give this machine back to Mr. 
Corsen.” 

“ Oh, let’s try to fly it — it will be barrels of 
fun ! ” cried Harry, enthusiastically. Why, see 
how you could skim through the air — just like a 
bird!” 

And come down as Mr. Akers did, or maybe 
harder.” 

Now, Bart, don’t be a wet blanket,” pleaded 
Fred. “ I know you can go up, even if you are 
fat. Why, I’m fat myself. All a fellow has got 
to do is to learn how to manipulate the rudders and 
run the engine, and fly where he pleases. I was 
reading all about it last night, in an aero magazine.” 

Humph! much you know about it, Fred Rush! 
Do you know that sooner or later nearly all the 
well-known aviators lose their lives? Why, there 
was ” 

'' Drop it, Bart ! ” interrupted Joe. If you don’t 


52 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


want to fly, you don’t have to. We’ll see how the 
machine looks and acts first. Maybe all of us will 
want to sell it. If not, and you want to get rid 
of your share in it, we’ll buy you out.” 

** Not much, you won’t buy me out ! If you want 
to keep the biplane, well and good. I think it be- 
longs to Joe and Harry, anyway, since they found 
it.” 

“ So do I,” added Link and Fred, quickly. 

“ No, it belongs to all of us,” replied Joe, just as 
quickly, and Harry nodded to show that he agreed 
with his brother. 

Even though they might be late in returning 
home, the boys could not resist the temptation to 
run up to Owl Lake and then walk over to where 
the biplane rested among the trees. They found 
that the machine had settled a little, but otherwise 
was as they had left it. 

“ We’ll have some job getting it out of here,” 
observed the older Westmore boy. “ We’ll have to 
bring up some rope and tackle, and maybe take the 
machine apart.” 

“ Let us come up to-morrow early,” said Harry. 
“ I don’t think it’s safe to leave the machine here 
long. Somebody else might try to take it away, 
or a wind storm might come up and damage it.” 

“We can get the tackle at my father’s carpenter 


NEW OWNEES OF BIPLANE 53 


shop,” said Link. “ He isn’t using it now. And 
we can bring along a couple of axes, to chop off 
the tree limbs that are in the way.” 

All of the boys climbed up in the trees to get a 
better look at the biplane. Now that it was their 
property they felt quite proud of their possession. 
They spent so much time looking the machine over 
that they did not get home until long after the 
supper hour. 

‘‘ Well, I don’t know about this,” said Mr. West- 
more, when he heard the story his sons had to tell. 
“ I don’t see what you can do with the machine, 
excepting to try to sell it.” 

'‘We want to learn to fly in it,” cried Harry, 
eagerly. 

" Fly in it ? ” screamed his sister Laura. “ Oh, 
Harry!” 

"No! no!” burst out Mrs. Westmore, firmly. 
" I can never allow that ! Why, you might fall and 
kill yourselves ! You mustn’t attempt it ! ” And 
she shook her head vigorously. 


CHAPTER VI 


IN WHICH SOME OLD ENEMIES APPEAR 

But, mother, we learned how to run the auto- 
mobile, and see what dandy times we have had in 
it,’' said Joe. 

“Yes, Joe; but an automobile is not a flying 
machine. Why, they aren’t safe! Only yesterday 
I was reading about a German birdman, as they 
call them, falling and killing himself.” 

“ But people get killed in autos,” put in Harry. 
“ And look at us — we came through all right.” 

“ Flying through the air isn’t running a touring 
car,” remarked Laura. 

“ No ! no I boys, you must not think of flying,” 
cried Mrs. Westmore. “ It is too risky. Sell the 
biplane and buy something else. Why, even a 
motor boat isn’t as bad as a flying machine, al- 
though they occasionally blow up, or go on the 
rocks.” 

“ But if we were very careful, you wouldn’t mind 
our taking little trips, would you ? ” pleaded Harry. 

54 


OLD ENEMIES APPEAR 55 


“ I mean just around the open fields, where the 
ground was soft/’ 

“ O dear, Harry, I can see your heart is set 
on flying! ” sighed his mother. “ But you mustn’t. 
Try to think of something else.” 

“ She’ll come around — sooner or later — she al- 
ways does I ” whispered Joe, as he pulled his brother 
aside. “ Don’t say any more now. Wait until we 
have the flying machine here, and get it in working 
order.” 

“ But, Joe, we won’t be able to run it without 
instructors. Why, I’ve read that they have regular 
schools of aviation in some of the big cities.” 

I know that. I don’t know what we’ll do. 
We’ll have to decide on that later — when we are 
sure the machine is usable. Remember, it may be so 
wrecked — the motor, I mean — as to be useless.” 

‘‘ That’s true. But I trust it is O. K.,” added 
Harry, hopefully. 

It was about nine o’clock when the two West- 
more boys heard a well-known whistle outside. 
They ran out on the porch, to see Fred standing 
there, accompanied by Paul Shale. 

Hello ! ” cried Paul. ‘‘ I understand you fel- 
lows are now the owners of an up-to-the-minute fly- 
ing machine,” and he smiled broadly. 

Oh, Joe, Harry ! ” burst out Fred. What do 


56 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


you think I just heard as we were coming past the 
Voup place? Si and Ike Boardman were talking 
about a flying machine they and some others had 
found in the woods ! 

Was it our machine?” demanded Harry. 

'' I don’t know. They were getting ready to go 
out in their touring car and I only caught a few 
words. Paul heard more than I did. I thought 
I had best come right over and tell you.” 

Si said they’d go over in the morning early and 
get the flying machine,” said Paul. “ Ike was to 
furnish some tackle and other things, and Dick 
Shallow and Tom Powers were to go along.” 

‘‘ Shallow and Powers,” murmured Joe. He 
knew the fellows to be men employed at a garage 
in Brookside. One was a machinist and the other 
a washer, and both were fellows not to be 
trusted. 

“ How do you suppose they found the biplane?” 
said Harry. 

“ I don’t know. They may have watched it come 
down from a distance and then hunted for it,” 
answered Fred. 

“ Well, if it’s our machine they are after, they 
shall not touch it,” said Joe, firmly. “ Did you tell 
’em it was our machine now ? ” 

I hadn’t time — they got in the car before I 


OLD ENEMIES APPEAE 57 


could make up my mind what to do. I didn’t want 
to have another row with Si and Ike.” 

The best thing we can do is to get away early 
to-morrow, and head them off,” cried Harry. 
“ Let us start at daybreak. It will give us so much 
longer to work on the biplane anyhow.” 

Fred was willing to do this, and he agreed to 
tell Link, while Paul said he would tell Bart. Paul 
also said he would like to go along and help get 
the machine from the treetops, and said he thought 
Matt Roscoe would like to go, too. 

All right, the more the better,” answered Joe, 
who felt that the task ahead would be no easy 
one. 

It had been decided to go in the touring car, 
taking the ropes and blocks along, and also a num- 
ber of tools. If the machine had to be moved after 
getting it to the road. Link was to go to Lakeport 
and get his father’s wagon and team of horses. 

It can well be imagined that none of the boys 
slept much that night. All waited anxiously for 
daylight, that they might begin operations and head 
off any move by Si Voup and his followers. 

'' It would be just like Si to claim the machine,” 
said Joe. “ He would say that ' finding was keep- 
ing.’ ” 

'' But it is our machine — we’ve got that paper 


58 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


to prove it,” answered Harry. Joe, you must take 
good care of that paper.” 

I gave it to father to put in his safe,” returned 
the older Westmore youth. 

The boys were astir by five o’clock, and inside 
of half an hour they had breakfast. A lunch was 
put up for them, and off they started in the touring 
car, calling for the others on the way, and getting 
the things to be taken from Mr. Barrow’s carpenter 
shop. i 

I don’t see anything of Si or Ike,” remarked 
Fred, as they approached the home of the rich bully. 

They must be in bed yet.” 

Don’t wake them up, Joe,” said Harry, and 
his brother ran past the Voup residence as quietly 
as possible. 

It was a beautiful day in August, the sun coming 
up over the trees as clear as one could wish. The 
roads were practically deserted, except by the oc- 
casional wagon of a baker or milkman. Joe let 
her out,” as he expressed it, being as anxious as 
anybody to reach the spot where the biplane had 
been left. 

‘‘ Hope we don’t have any punctures or blow- 
outs,” remarked Link, as they sped along. 

“ Perish the thought ! ” replied Matt Roscoe. 
“ The only blowout I want is when the dinner bell 


OLD ENEMIES APPEAR 59 


rings, and then I want a good one,” and this sally 
from the jovial Matt brought forth a general 
laugh. 

On and on over the country road sped the big 
touring car. Several times the boys looked back, 
to see if Si and his friends might be following 
them; but no other automobile appeared. 

We got ahead of him that time ! ” chuckled 
Fred. “ And I am glad of it. When he comes up, 
won’t he be surprised ! ” 

At last they reached the spot where they had 
left the car on the other trips to Owl Lake. As 
they had expected, the place was deserted. 

“Are you going to leave the car here again?” 
asked Link. “ Aren’t you afraid Si and Ike will 
play us some trick, if they come up and find the 
auto deserted ? ” 

“ I was thinking I might run it out of sight 
among the bushes,” replied Joe. 

“That’s the talk!” cried Fred. He looked 
around. “ There is a good spot,” he continued, 
pointing with his hand. 

The touring car was started up on low gear and 
they ran well in among the bushes, the boys holding 
the branches back, that the elegantly painted body 
of the automobile might not get scratched. Now 
that they were about to return Mr. Corsen’s prop- 


60 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


erty to him they wished to make the best showing 
possible with it. 

Satisfied at last that the touring car would be 
out of sight and safe for the time being, all walked 
towards the spot where the biplane had come down. 
They carried the ropes and tools, and as these were 
heavy, their progress was necessarily slow. 

Harry and Fred stalked on in advance, Joe and 
the others following with the heavier things. Sud- 
denly the younger Westmore uttered a cry of dis- 
may. 

It’s gone!” 

What I ” cried those in the rear. 

The flying machine is gone!” burst out Fred. 

Si Voup and his crowd must have taken it ! ” 

At once all the lads dropped the things they were 
carrying and rushed forward, to the trees in the 
tops of which the biplane had been stuck. It was 
certainly gone. 

They must have come last night and taken it 
away ! ” groaned Link. '' Oh, what luck ! ” 

“ They must have known that we were coming 
for it to-day,” put in Bart. 

The boys gazed around with interest. They could 
see how one tree had been chopped down, and how 
some ropes and tackle had been used from another 
tree. Then they found several nuts and bolts, indi- 


OLD ENEMIES APPEAR 61 

eating that the machine had been more or less taken 
apart. 

“Wonder where they went with it?” muttered 
Harry. 

“ I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” an- 
swered Joe, with determination. “ That machine 
is ours, and they had no right to touch it ! ” 

“ That’s the talk! ” cried Fred. 

“ Here are the marks of some kind of wheels,” 
said Link, pointing them out. 

“ The bicycle wheels on which the biplane rested,” 
said Bart. “ That crowd must have straightened 
out the one that was bent. We can follow that 
trail easily enough. Come on.” 

The others needed no urging, and leaving their 
tools and things where they had been dropped, they 
followed the trail through the woods until they 
came out on the border of Owl Lake. Here the 
trail came to an abrupt termination. 

“ I wonder if they floated it off,” suggested 
Harry. 

“ It looks like it,” answered his brother. “ But 
if so, where did they get the boat, or raft, and 
where did they go to ? ” 

“ Let’s circle the lake and watch for more tracks,” 
said Link. “ It isn’t very big.” 

They divided into two parties, one going up the 


62 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


shore and the other down. Nothing was noticed 
until Bart, Fred, and Link reached the upper end 
of the lake. Then they saw where a raft had been 
beached, and the flying machine dragged ashore. 
At once they set up a shout for their friends, who 
came up on a run. 

Here is the trail again, as plain as day ! ” cried 
Fred. 

‘‘ They must have headed for the back road,” re- 
marked Matt. It is less than a quarter of a mile 
from here.” 

Through the woods and bushes moved the boys, 
Joe and Fred in advance. Just before reaching the 
back road they caught sight of a small cabin, where 
an old man named Freedick lived. Freedick was 
something of a hermit and made his living by hunt- 
ing, fishing, and weaving baskets. 

“ There she is ! ” cried Joe, as he pointed to the 
flying machine, the various parts of which lay in a 
heap on the ground. 

Where are the fellows who took it ? ” asked 
Bart, gazing around. 

'' They are in the cabin, getting breakfast ! ” ex- 
claimed Harry, who had chanced to glance in 
through an open doorway. 

By this time the noise outside had reached the 
ears of those in the cabin. An instant later Si 





Si Voup came rushing forth, followed by Ike Boardman 

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OLD ENEMIES APPEAR 63 


Voup came rushing forth, followed by Ike Board- 
man, and the two men. Shallow and Powers. 

‘^Hi! what do you want here?” demanded the 
rich bully, as if he did not know well enough. 

‘‘We want our flying machine, that’s what we 
want. Si Voup,” returned Joe, sharply. 

“ Your machine? ” 

“ Yes, our machine,” put in Fred. 

“What right had you to touch it?” demanded 
Harry. 

“ Well, to hear them talk ! ” burst out Ike Board- 
man. “Their flying machine! If that ain’t rich. 
Why, you fellows never owned a flying machine 1 ” 

“ This is our machine, and I guess you know it,” 
answered Joe, quietly but firmly. “ It belonged to 
Mr. Andrew Akers, and he gave it to us.” 

“ It belongs to us ! ” bawled Si Voup. “ We 
found it out in the woods, deserted.” 

“ That’s right, so we did,” put in Tom Powers. 

“ When you find a thing it’s yours, — unless the 
real owner comes to claim it,” added Dick Shallow. 

“ Exactly,” agreed Si. “ And we found this ma- 
chine and we are going to keep it, — at least until 
the real owner shows up.” And he placed himself 
in front of the dismantled biplane and his followers 
did likewise. 


CHAPTER VII 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 

For a minute there was silence, as one crowd 
glared at the other, Joe and his friends hardly 
knew how to proceed. Old Freedick came out of 
the cabin, to see what was going on. 

'' Call that a flying machine ? ” he drawled. I 
thought it was some newfangled reaper and binder.” 

“ It’s a flying machine, Mr. Freedick, and it be- 
longs to us,” answered Harry. These fellows had 
no right to touch it.” 

Don’t you believe that ! ” burst out Si Voup. 

They never owned such a machine. We found 
it in the woods and we mean to keep it — at least 
until the real owner shows up.” 

“ Si Voup, you listen to me! ” said Joe, quietly 
but sternly. I tell you this machine belongs to 
my friends and me. It did belong to a Mr. Andrew 
Akers, but he got tired of owning it and he gave 
it to us. I have a paper to prove it, signed by 
Mr. Akers and witnessed by Joel Runnell. Now 
then, if you don’t give us our property, do you 
64 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 65 


know what I intend to do ? Go right back to Lake- 
port and swear out warrants for your arrest, — and 
ril see to it that you are locked up and don’t get 
off as easily as you have in the past.” 

Have me locked up ? ” exclaimed the rich bully. 
Yes, you and Ike, and these men with you.” 

‘‘ Lock me up ? ” queried Ike Boardman, and his 
voice quivered somewhat as he spoke. 

‘‘ Exactly — and I’ll press the charge to the limit 
of the law,” went on Joe. “ I am tired of putting 
up with your dirty actions. I’ve let you off several 
times — I’ll not do it again. So take your choice. 
Are you going to give up our property, or shall I 
swear out the warrants ? ” 

See here, you can’t scare us,” began Dick 
Shallow. 

'' Don’t let him bluff you. Si,” added Tom 
Powers. 

‘‘ This is no bluff, as you’ll soon find out,” an- 
swered Joe. What do you say, fellows?” And 
he turned to his companions. 

That’s the talk, Joe! ” 

‘‘ Have them locked up I ” 

They ought to be in jail I ” 

‘‘ It will cool Si and Ike off to put them behind 
the bars for awhile I ” 

Say, Si,” whispered Ike Boardman to his crony. 


66 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


‘‘Do you think they really mean it?” He was 
plainly growing nervous, and for a good reason. 
His parents had warned him not to allow Si to lead 
him into trouble, under penalty of sending him to 
a very strict boarding school. 

“ I — er — I don’t think so,” stammered the rich 
bully; yet he, too, was disturbed, for his father, 
only the week previous, had read him a lecture and 
told him to behave himself. 

“Well, what are you going to do?” demanded 
Joe, sharply. He saw that the enemy was wavering. 

“ How do we know this is your machine ? ” de- 
manded Si, lamely. 

“ I gave you the facts. Si, and every fellow with 
me knows they are true.” 

“ That’s right,” came in a chorus. 

“ You don’t suppose we’d say we owned the fly- 
ing machine if it wasn’t true,” added Fred. 

“ Humph ! Well — er — if it really is your ma- 
chine you — er — you ought to pay us for getting it 
down out of the trees,” grumbled Ike Board- 
man. 

“Of course they’ve got to pay us,” put in Dick 
Shallow, as he saw the prospect of getting some 
money out of the biplane fading away. He and 
Powers had been promised ten dollars each by Si 
for their assistance. 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 67 


I don’t see why we should pay you,” answered 
Harry. You had no right to touch the machine. 
For all we know, you may have broken something 
on it.” 

“ We didn’t break a thing,” said Tom Powers. 

“If we give the flying machine up, you’ll have to 
pay these two men for helping to get it down,” 
said Si, sourly. 

“ Not a cent ! ” cried Bart. 

“If they are to be paid, you can do it, Si,” added 
Link. 

“ Me? ” roared the bully. “ Not much! Why, I 
worked like everything to get the thing out of the 
trees ! I ought to be paid myself ! ” 

“ Well, you can settle that part of it between 
yourselves,” said Joe. “ Now, what I want to 
know is : Are you going to give up the machine 
right now, or shall I get those warrants and have 
them served ? ” 

“ Oh, go on and let ’em take the old machine ! ” 
cried Ike Boardman. “ It isn’t good for anything, 
anyway ! ” 

“ All right, you can have your old machine,” mut- 
tered Si, with very bad grace. 

“ But who is going to pay us? ” demanded Dick 
Shallow. 

“ That’s right — we want our money,” added Tom 


68 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


Powers. I’m not going to work all night for 
nothing ! ” 

Did Si hire you ? ” asked Harry. 

Yes, he did,” came from both men. 

Then he ought to pay you,” answered Fred. 

He’ll have to do it,” growled Tom Powers, 
who was a big man and what is usually known as 
a scrapper.” 

Sure, he’ll have to pay us,” added Dick Shallow. 

1 won’t pay a cent!” roared Si. “Come on, 
Ike,” he went on, to his crony. “ Let us go home.” 

Both started into the cabin, to get some of their 
belongings. Their actions displeased the two help- 
ers very much, and the men held a whispered con- 
sultation. 

“ You’ve got to pay us,” stormed Tom Powers, 
as Si and Ike came out again with bundles. “ You 
can’t run off this way,” and as the boys hurried 
off, the two men followed them, arguing loudly 
and acting as if they wanted to fight. 

“ Si and Ike are in hot water now,” was Harry’s 
comment. “ If they don’t look out they’ll both get 
a beating.” 

“ Well, let them settle their troubles themselves,” 
returned Joe. He drew a long breath. “ I am glad 
they went away.” And the other boys echoed the 
sentiment. 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 69 

‘‘ I don’t know if we are worse off, or better,” 
said Fred, after the sounds of the angry voices had 
died away in the distance. “ The flying machine 
is out of the trees, but we are further away from 
home than we were.” 

‘‘ I think we had better inspect the machine first, 
and see just what condition the parts are in,” said 
Joe. 

Oh, I hope the engine isn’t broken ! ” burst out 
Harry. '' We can fix the other parts, I think, but 
an engine ” 

The boys commenced to work over the disman- 
tled biplane and soon had the canvas stretches and 
the rudders separated from the central portion, that 
containing the motor, the gasoline tank, and the 
steering apparatus. They looked at the engine with 
care. 

Seems to be O. K.,” was Joe’s comment. “ But 
the best way to find out would be to try it.” 

‘‘ Could we do that ? ” queried his brother. 

I don’t know; I’ll try to find out.” 

“ The gasoline tank is all right and has some 
gasoline in it,” announced Bart. 

“ And the battery wires look to be all right,” came 
from Link. 

‘‘ Look out that you don’t blow us up, — if you 
do start the engine,” said Paul. 


70 


THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


'' And that the machine doesn’t run away with 
itself,” added Matt. I’m too tired to hunt for 
a runaway biplane, or anything else.” 

The boys set to work in earnest, old Freedick 
watching them curiously. The hermit wore a quiet 
smile. 

Made them fellers pay fer breakfast before 
they ate it,” he chuckled. “ Glad I did — otherwise 
I’d be without my money.” 

“ More than likely,” answered Fred. 

At last Joe announced that he was ready to test 
the motor. There was no crank as on an automo- 
bile, but instead the propellers had to be twirled 
around. The central portion of the biplane was 
propped up on some logs and tied down with ropes. 
Then the electric spark and gasoline were turned 
on and the boys got ready to turn the propellers. 

Now ! ” yelled Joe, and Bart and Harry gave 
a vigorous twist to the wooden blades. There was 
no response, and they repeated the operation sev- 
eral times. 

Dead ! ” was Matt’s laconic comment. 

“ Something wrong somewhere ” commenced 

Fred, when bang! bang! bang! went the motor, 
with such loud explosions that all the lads fell back 
in alarm, while old Freedick rushed into his cabin 
and slammed the door behind him. Then the pro- 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 71 


pellers commenced to whirl around, faster and 
faster, and the central portion of the biplane 
pulled harder and harder on the ropes that 
held it. 

♦ “ Hurrah! she works! cried Joe, in delight. 

Stop her ! ” screamed Harry. “ If you don’t, 
you’ll have her flying away ! ” 

Joe stepped forward and turned off the spark and 
the gasoline. At once the noise of the explosions 
died away and gradually the propellers came to a 
stop. For an instant there was silence. 

‘‘ Hurrah ! ” yelled Link, throwing up his cap. 
And then a general cheer followed. Evidently the 
motor — the main portion of the flying machine^ — 
was in good working order. 

Is she — is she busted?” asked old Freedick, as 
he cautiously thrust his head out of the cabin 
doorway. 

Not at all, Mr. Freedick, she’s all right,” an- 
swered Fred. 

“ By gum ! I thought by the noise she made she 
was a-going to blow us all to kingdom come ! ” mur- 
mured the old hermit. “ Sounded like a company 
o’ soldiers firing rifles ! ” 

Well, now we are sure the motor is all right, 
let us start to get the machine to Lakeport,” said 
Joe, after a pause. “ Link, what do you think — 


72 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


had we better take it over to the main road, or go 
to the back road ? ” 

“ Why not go to the back road — it’s shorter,” 
answered the carpent'er’s son. “ I can bring the 
wagon up that way as well as the other.” 

“ Somebody will have to go back for the auto.” 

Sure — I want you to take me to Lakeport in it 
— I’m not going to walk back to get the wagon.” 

“ ni take you to Lakeport,” said Harry. “ And 
then I’ll come out with you in your father’s 
wagon ; ” and so it was arranged, and the two boys 
started off a few minutes later, not only for the 
touring car but also for the tackle left in the woods. 

Getting the biplane through the woods to the back 
road was no easy task, and the boys had to make 
two trips of it, taking the motor portion first and 
then returning for the planes and rudders. By the 
time they had accomplished the task it was noon, 
and all were glad enough to rest and partake of 
lunch. Old Freedick had aided them some and was 
grateful when the boys paid him a dollar for his 
services. 

It was not until two o’clock that Link appeared 
with his father’s largest wagon, drawn by a pair 
of powerful horses. Harry was on the seat with 
him, and both had had dinner before leaving Lake- 
port. 


JOE LAYS DOWN THE LAW 73 


‘‘ Now to get the motor part into the wagon,” 
said Joe. ‘‘ I guess we’ll have to slide it up on 
logs.” 

“ I’ve got a plan,” cried Fred. '' See that slop- 
ing rock? Put the motor on that and then Link 
can back up the wagon and we can slide the part 
right from the rock into the wagon ; ” and this was 
presently done. Then the planes and rudder and 
other portions of the biplane were loaded on the 
turnout, and the crowd was ready to start for 
home. 

“ We can’t all ride^ — it will be too much of a 
load,” said Link. All I want is one fellow to 
steady the load going up and down the hills.” 

We’ll tie the load fast,” answered Joe, and 
then all of us can walk but Link. No use in wear- 
ing the horses out.” 

But Link would not hear of this, and in the end 
each of the boys was allowed to rest his legs by 
driving the team for awhile, the others tramping 
on either side of the wagon. 

It was almost sundown when Lakeport was 
reached. Soon the news spread that the boys were 
bringing in a flying machine and a crowd of curious 
men and boys followed them to the Harrow car- 
penter shop. Here the entire lower floor of the 
big building was cleared, and then the lads pro- 


74 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


ceeded to unload the parts of the biplane, Mr. Bar- 
row and several other men helping them. 

Going to fly in it? ” asked one of the men, of 

Joe. 

“ I don’t know yet,” answered the youth. He 
hoped he would be allowed to make the attempt, but 
was afraid that, after all, his mother might with- 
hold her permission for him to do so. 


CHAPTER VIII 


LEARNING TO FLY 

It soon became noised around the town that Joe 
and his chums had become the proud possessors of 
a flying machine, and the boys were asked innumera- 
ble questions concerning where they had gotten the 
biplane and what they intended to do with it. 

‘‘ Why, it's dead easy to fly,” said Walter Ban- 
nister, who had been visiting some relatives out 
on Long Island and had attended several aviation 
meets there, at one of the well-known parks. I 
saw scores of flights and the aviators went up and 
came down without the least bit of trouble.” 

“ I guess it is easy enough after one learns how,” 
answered Harry. “ But the thing of it is to learn.” 

''Do you know what Si Voup is saying?” put 
in Fred, who chanced to be present. " He is telling 
everybody in town that he is sure none of us will 
have the backbone to try to go up.” 

" Some more of Si’s sour grapes,” answered 
Harry; nevertheless his face commenced to burn. 
He could not help remembering what his mother 
75 


76 


THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


had said that very morning — ^that she did not wish 
him or Joe to think of using the flying machine. 

The boys, with the aid of Mr. Harrow and a 
machinist, had put the biplane together and had 
again tested the engine. But so far nobody of the 
crowd had said much about flying in it. 

“ We’ve got a white elephant on our hands,” said 
Fred, dismally. '' Oh, if only some aviator would 
come along to give us lessons ! ” He had made in- 
quiries, but could learn of no birdmen excepting in 
the big cities, or at the aviation meets throughout 
the country. 

Another day passed and then, just as the West- 
more boys sat down to supper, their sister Laura 
came in, her cheeks flushed and her eyes flashing 
angrily. 

Oh, that horrid Si Voup, and that awful Ike 
Boardman ! ” cried the girl, as she gave a deep sigh. 
“ I hope I never see them again ! ” 

“ Why, Laura, what’s the trouble ? ” asked Mrs. 
Westmore, pausing in the act of pouring out tea 
for her husband. 

'' They’ve been talking about Joe and Harry, 
that’s what’s the matter ! ” answered the girl. “ Oh, 
it makes me sick! I’d just like to slap their faces 
for them I ” 


‘‘ Laura!” 


LEARNING TO FLY 


77 


*‘Well, I would, so there!’' 

What have those boys done now ? ” questioned 
Mr. Westmore. 

They are saying that Joe and Harry are cow- 
ards ! ” burst out the girl. “ They told Minnie 
Brown and Grace Shallock that Joe and Harry 
wouldn’t dare to try to fly in that machine. Minnie 
said she was sure our boys would fly some time, but 
Si only laughed and said, ‘Never! They haven’t 
the backbone ! ’ And Ike said, ‘ They’ll never get 
off the ground with it, they’d be too scared.’ Oh, 
were ever there such boys ! ” 

“ I’d like to punch their heads for ’em ! ” mur- 
mured Harry. 

“ Why don’t Si and Ike try to do some flying on 
their own account?” asked Mr. Westmore, dryly. 

“ Oh, they haven’t any flying machine,” answered 
Joe. “ But say, I don’t like this, father — being 
called a coward.” 

“And I don’t like it, either!” cried Harry. 
“ Now we have the machine everybody will expect 
us to do something with it.” And he looked plead- 
ingly at his mother. 

“ Humph ! ” mused Mr. Westmore, and he looked 
very thoughtful. 

The next day the flour and feed merchant re- 
ceived a call from Mr. Rush. The hardware dealer 


78 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


had heard the report being circulated by Si and 
Ike, and some others, and it pleased him no more 
than it did Mr. Westmore. 

Fred is just crazy to try that flying machine,” 
said Mr. Rush. “ He says if I will only let him 
try it he will be very careful, and he won’t go up 
until he is sure he knows all about it.” 

Well, Joe and Harry are just as crazy,” an- 
swered Mr. Westmore. “ But my wife doesn’t like 
the idea.” 

“ Neither does Mrs. Rush — but she doesn’t want 
Fred branded as a coward.” 

What does Mr. Harrow say ? ” 

“ He says he might let Link try it, if he was 
very careful. He thinks they might try flying over 
the lake — with a boat near to pick them up if they 
had a tumble.” 

“ That’s an idea. Perhaps Mrs. Westmore 
wouldn’t mind it so much if they flew over the 
water. But they ought to have somebody to give 
them instructions first.” 

“ Fred has found somebody — that’s why I came 
over.” 

“Found somebody? Who is it?” 

“ The new chauffeur Mr. Corsen has engaged to 
run his automobile. The man, whose name is 
Slosson, used to work around the hangars at one 


LEARNING TO FLY 


79 


of the aviation parks and told Fred he had made 
several short flights. He said he wouldn’t mind 
going up in the machine, and he’d give the boys 
some instructions, if Mr. Corsen was willing.” 

Hum. Well, I’ll think it over — and talk to 
Mrs. Westmore about it,” answered the grain mer- 
chant. 

Two days later Mrs. Westmore and Mrs. Rush 
came home together from a meeting of the local 
sewing circle. Both were very thoughtful, for at 
the meeting something had been said about the bi- 
plane and what was to be done with it. Evidently 
the women as well as the men and young folks of 
the town had come to the conclusion that the only 
reason it was not being tried was because the own- 
ers were afraid to attempt it. 

I can’t stand it to have folks think my son is 
a coward,” declared Mrs. Rush. “ Why, Fred is 
just as anxious to try it as he was to run that tour- 
ing car ! ” 

It’s the same with Harry and Joe,” replied 
Mrs. Westmore. ‘‘ Oh, if I only knew they’d get 
along as well with it as they did with the auto 
I’d not stop them another minute.” 

'' Mr. Rush said they might try it over the 
lake.” 

Yes, Mr. Westmore said that.” There was a 


80 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

pause. “ Do you think we ought to let them do 
it?^’ 

I don’t believe we’ll have peace unless we do.” 

But they will have to be very, very careful ! ” 

Yes, indeed! They must have lessons first.” 

That evening the boys were told that they might 
try the biplane, if they were very careful and 
learned to run it first, and that they must not fly 
high, and must keep over the water until they were 
sure of what they were doing. All could swim 
well, so a tumble into the lake would be far less 
risky than a tumble on land. 

Hurrah 1 ” shouted Harry, as he came running 
out of the house. “We can fly ! Oh, this is the 
best yet!” And he took himself over to Fred’s 
home. 

“Yes, I got permission, too!” said the stout 
youth. “ But we must take it slowly, so my mother 
made me promise her.” 

Joe followed Harry; and then the three youths 
hurried over to the Harrow carpenter shop, where 
they met Link and Bart. 

“ Good ! ” cried the carpenter’s son. “ I was 
afraid the machine would just stand here all sum- 
mer. Now we can have some glorious times ! ” 

“If we don’t break our necks,” put in the big but 
timid Bart. 


LEARNING TO FLY 81 

“ We’ll show Si Voup and his crowd that we are 
not afraid,” declared Joe. 

Matters were talked over, and it was decided 
to communicate with the new Corsen chauffeur the 
next day, when Joe was to return the big touring 
car to its owner. 

The boys had cleaned up the car, and oiled it, 
until it was ‘‘ in apple-pie order,” to use Harry’s 
manner of expressing it. The Corsens were back 
from their trip abroad and the mansion was open 
once more from end to end, and likewise the big 
grounds. 

Well, I am glad to know you had such a nice 
time,” said Munroe Corsen, when Joe had delivered 
the touring car. What do you young men pro- 
pose to do next, fly ? ” And he laughed. He had 
heard about the biplane. 

‘‘ We’ll fly if we can learn how,” answered Joe. 

Your chauffeur said he knew something about 
a biplane, Mr. Corsen, and I wanted to ask you 
if you had any objections to his teaching us the 
trick. Of course we’ll pay for his time.” 

‘‘ There wijl be nothing to pay, Joe. I don’t 
know how much Slosson knows, but what he does 
he can teach you. When do you want him to give 
you lessons ? ” 


82 


THE AIKCRAFT BOYS 


“Any time you say, sir; and much obliged for 
letting him have the time to do it.” 

“ Well, we seldom go riding in the morning, after 
he takes me to the railroad station, so supposing 
we say every morning from ten to twelve, for the 
next couple of weeks ? ” 

“ That will suit us boys very well.” 

“ Then let it stand at that, and I will tell my man. 
But be careful of what you do. He comes highly 
recommended as a chauffeur, but I know nothing 
of his ability as an aviator.” 

“ He told Fred he could have gotten a job to fly 
at the exhibitions, only his wife didn’t want him 
to accept.” 

“ Yes, he told me that, too, so maybe it’s all right 
— I hope for your sake it is,” answered Mr. Corsen; 
and there the talk came to an end. 

Joe spread the news among the others who held 
an interest in the biplane, and as a consequence 
every youth was on hand the next morning, await- 
ing the arrival of James Slosson. 

The chauffeur had already visited the carpenter 
shop and inspected the biplane and pronounced it 
a fine one. He had said that it was something of 
a “ cross ” of two well-known makes — probably a 
production of Andrew Akers’s brain after seeing 
the other machines. The motor was entirely new 


LEARNING TO FLY 


83 


to him, although of the rotary type, and he had 
said he thought it must be patterned after some 
French machines, — which was the case, although 
Andrew Akers had added some so-called improve- 
ments of his own. 

‘‘ Learning to fly is more of a trick than any- 
thing else, just like learning to ride a bicycle or 
learning to walk a tight-rope,” said the chauffeur, 
when giving the boys their first lesson. ‘‘ It con- 
sists mainly in knowing how to keep your balance 
under any and all conditions. So long as you keep 
your machine on anything like an even keel you are 
safe; but once let it get away from you and you 
are apt to turn turtle and come down with a smash.” 

Harry and Fred were quite disappointed to think 
that they could not try to fly during the first two 
or three lessons. But James Slosson was a careful 
man and he insisted upon their learning all about 
the motor first, and the steering gear, and how to 
manage the wheel and other appliances. He also 
superintended the repairing of the broken planes, 
and readjusted several of the wire stays. The bi- 
plane seat was so arranged that a passenger might 
be carried along. 

'' Well, we’ll have to take turns at flying,” said 
Harry. “ One or two at a time.” 

James Slosson was the first to try the biplane 


84 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


and the boys assisted him in rolling the affair down 
to a big field bordering the lake. Then they held 
the flying machine while the propellers were started 
and the man got aboard. 

'' Let her go ! ” called the man, a moment later, 
and the boys did as requested. The motor banged 
away loudly, the propellers buzzed around at a 
lively rate, and with a rush the biplane traveled over 
the ground. Then up it shot into the air, higher 
and higher, until it was far out over the lake. 

Hurrah ! ” shouted the boys, and waved their 
caps. 

She’s all right ! ” was Harry’s comment. 

‘‘Just wait until we run her! ” put in Fred. 

“ We’ll show Si Voup and all the others what we 
can do,” added Link. 

With keen interest the boys, and a crowd that 
had gathered, watched the aviator as he circled 
around over the lake. The biplane appeared to be 
under perfect control, the explosions of the motor 
sounding out with regularity. 

“ He’s coming back ! ” said Bart, presently, and 
a minute later the sound of the motor ceased, and 
like some great white bird the biplane came float- 
ing down close to the spot from which it had 
started. 


CHAPTER IX 


HARRY IN THE AIR 

** Say, that was great ! ’’ 

How easy it seems, after all ! ” 

Well, I never thought Fd live to see a man fly 
like that ! 

‘‘ The engine makes some noise, doesn’t it? ” 

These and numerous other comments went the 
rounds, as the crowd gathered around the aviator 
and the flying machine. Among those present were 
the fathers of the boys who owned the biplane, 
who had come to the field not only to see Slosson 
make his initial flight but also to make certain that 
their sons should not attempt to go up. 

Many were the questions put to the aviator, and 
in the end he had to give a regular lecture on the 
make-up of flying machines in general and the bi- 
plane in particular. 

“ Flying machines at present are of three kinds,” 
he said. The monoplane, the biplane, and the tri- 
plane. The monoplane, or single deck craft, is 
a swift machine and very good for racing, but it 
85 


86 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


is not as steady and reliable as a biplane. The 
tripHne, or three-decker, is but little used, for the 
reason that most manufacturers see but little ad- 
vantage in three planes over two.” 

'' But how do you get up into the air and how 
do you steer ? ” asked one of the men present. 

'' The propeller acts on the air just as a boat 
propeller acts on the water, and as soon as the 
force is strong enough the biplane is forced for- 
ward over the ground. It has to have a smooth 
field for a start or it can’t very well make a flight. 
When the forward motion is rapid enough, the 
operator of the machine moves his elevation rudder, 
and the air, striking against it, causes the biplane 
to run up on the current, and the machine will con- 
tinue to go up just as long as the motor keeps 
going and the rudder is kept at an angle. When 
the operator is as high in the air as he wishes to 
go, he straightens out the rudder, so that it rests 
flat on the air.” 

How about when you want to come down ? ” 
asked another man. 

The easiest way to come down is to shut off the 
motor and glide, or volplane, down,” answered the 
aviator. “If you want to make a quicker landing, 
however, you can let the engine run for a bit and 
deflect the rudder.” 


HARRY IN THE AIR 


87 


“ How about steering to the right or left? ” asked 
Mr. Rush. “ Do you do that with the tail rudder ? ” 

‘‘ Yes, by moving it just as you would the rudder 
of a ship.'' 

“ Won't steering around tilt the machine? " asked 
Mr. Harrow. 

It may, depending on the wind. If the biplane 
tilts to the right or left, the operator of this par- 
ticular machine can bring it to an even keel by 
using the ailerons, or warping wings, at the far 
ends, on either side. Ordinarily, as you can see, 
those wings stand out straight, the wind rushing 
over and under them, as the biplane moves along. 
Now you see, by using this lever, or that, I can 
warp one tip or the other. When a tip is warped, 
or turned down, the air hits it, and this causes that 
side of the biplane to rise. Of course it also makes 
the biplane slue around, so that the operator, if he 
wants to keep to his course, must overcome this 
movement by the use of the tail rudder." 

‘‘ Humph ! that's easy enough," murmured one 
of the farmers who chanced to be present. 

“ Flying would be quite easy, once a man knew 
how to manipulate his machine, were it not for 
two things," went on James Slosson. ‘‘ Those two 
things are, the wind and the soft spots, or holes, in 
the air currents. Now you all know something 


88 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


about wind, but a birdman has to know a great 
deal. He soon finds out that air moves in all sorts 
of currents, just as a sea captain learns about the 
currents of water in the ocean. He finds straight 
currents and curved currents, and currents that 
move upward and currents that move downward. 
And then he finds what he calls holes, where there 
doesn’t seem to be any current at all. The holes 
are the worst of all, for when he is crossing one of 
these he doesn’t know what sort of a current he 
is going to hit on the other side. He may think 
the air is blowing one way when it is blowing the 
other, and he must be prepared to make a lightning 
shift of his rudders or tips.” 

All biplanes are not like this one, are they ? ” 
asked Mr. Mason. 

Oh, no, different makers have various con- 
trivances, some of them patented. In some there 
are two sets of tips, and there are half a dozen ideas 
for rudders being used, many machines having the 
elevation control in front instead of behind. As 
you know, flying machines are of such recent date 
that they are bound to make great changes in them 
in the next few years.” 

‘‘ What about the engine — how strong is that ? ” 
asked Mr. Rush. 

I think it is about fifty horse power.” 


HARRY IN THE AIR 


89 


** Phew! And as small as that! ” 

They have to be small and powerful for a fly- 
ing machine. Some of the aircraft carry engines of 
one hundred horse power. Why, with a person 
on board this outfit will weigh eight or nine hun- 
dred pounds. It needs some engine to lift that 
weight into the air.” 

This biplane is about thirty feet wide, isn’t 
it?” asked Mr. Westmore. 

Thirty-four feet at the top plane and six feet 
less at the bottom.” 

Well, boys, do you think you can learn? ” asked 
Mr. Westmore, as he looked at his sons. 

Sure ! ” cried Harry. '' But, of course, it will 
take a little time,” he added. There is more 
about the running of it than I thought.” 

Slosson has agreed to take each of us up as 
a passenger first,” said Joe. He says that will 
give us a little confidence in the air, and give us 
a chance to see just how he manages the 
machine.” 

A good idea,” said the flour and feed merchant. 
A little later he had a private talk with the aviator 
and made him promise not to let any of the lads 
go up alone until he thought it was absolutely safe. 
One thing the man told him, comforted Mr. West- 
more not a little. 


90 


THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


Fve never known a beginner to meet with a 
serious accident,” said James Slosson. The ac- 
cidents come mostly from aviators trying to do 
daring stunts, for the benefit of the crowd. If the 
boys will keep to plain sailing, when the weather is 
good, they ought to get along finely.” 

I sincerely hope so,” answered Mr. Westmore. 

It was not until two days later that James Slos- 
son said he would take the boys up, one after the 
other. Lots were drawn as to who should go up 
first, and much to his delight, the choice fell upon 
Harry. 

Whoop ! Me for the air ! ” he cried, throwing 
up his cap. “ Here is where Slosson and I take 
a little run to New York and Boston and back ! ” 

“ Humph! Why not take in San Francisco and 
China while you are at it? ” returned Fred. 

‘‘ And South America and Hawaii,” added Bart. 
“ Nothing like getting your money’s worth,” and 
he grinned broadly. 

We’ll try a trip over the lake,” said the aviator. 

And I want you to have a boat handy, in case of 
accident.” 

“ We’ve got our rowboat,” said Joe. 

And Paul Shale is on hand with his uncle’s 
sloop,” added Link. He said he’d follow the bi- 
plane in the Sprite, so long as we kept over the 


HAERY IN THE AIR 91 

water. Of course, he can’t make such time as the 
biplane can make.” 

‘‘ Say, if they can give a sloop a name, why can’t 
we name the A. A. A. ? ” queried Harry. 

“We can!” cried Fred. . 

“ How will American Amateur Adventurer do? ” 
asked Matt, who was present. 

“ Get out ! ” came from several of the others. 

“ We want a real nice name,” added Fred. 

“Want something really sweet, Freddy dear?” 
went on Matt, in a childish voice. “If you do, 
darling, call her the Candy” And then he dodged, 
as the stout youth threw a stick at him. 

“ The planes are so white, we might call her the 
Dove,” suggested Bart. 

“ ‘ Oh, fair Dove, oh, fond Dove ! ’ ” mimicked 
Matt. “ ' Oh, would I could fly to thy bosom, and ’ 
— wow! Let up, Joe! ” he spluttered, as the other 
youth caught him from behind and stuffed a hand- 
ful of grass into his mouth. “ Nice way to treat 
a friend when he is using up all his brain power 
to help you out of a hole ! ” he added, ruefully. 

A dozen names were suggested, and finally Joe 
wrote the best , of these on slips of paper, which 
he shook up in a cap. 

“ Let me draw the name for you, will you ? ” 
asked Matt, eagerly. 


92 


THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


“ All right/' answered Harry. Now draw a 
good one, Matt.” 

The fun-loving youth turned away for a moment, 
as if to fix his shoe, walking to a box near by to 
do this. Then he came back and thrust his hand 
into the cap, which Joe held high in the air. 

*‘\ril allow Link the honor of reading the name 
I have picked out,” said Matt, and extended a 
slip of paper that was between his fingers. 

‘‘All right, what is it?” cried the carpenter’s 
son, and took the slip eagerly. “ Why, I declare ! 
Who put this in?” he demanded, looking around 
in wonder. 

“What is it. Link?” 

“ The White Pancake!*' 

“What’s that?” 

“ The White Pancake? Who ever heard of a 
flying machine, or anything else, being named 
that?” burst out Fred. 

“ It’s one of Matt’s jokes ! ” cried Joe. “ He had 
that slip of paper in his fingers all the time. Just 
wait till I catch you ! ” And he made a dash for 
the joker; but Matt ran around the biplane and 
kept at a distance. 

“ Anyway, she’s white and almost as flat as a 
pancake,” said he. 

“ Huh ! Don’t you dare insult our flying ma- 


HAREY IN THE AIR 93 

chine! ” roared Harry. “ If you do you’ll not ride 
in her.” 

Take it all back,” replied Matt, promptly, and 
made a most profound bow. 

Bart, you do the drawing,” said Joe, and amid 
a general silence the big youth did as requested. 

Skylark” he read. 

“ That’s the name I picked out I ” exclaimed 
Harry. 

‘‘The Skylark, eh?” said Joe. “That’s all 
right.” 

“If only she flies like a skylark,” said Fred. 
“ It’s a pretty name, Harry.” 

“All in favor of the name drawn please say 
aye! ” cried Joe. 

“ Aye ! ” came from the crowd of owners, and 
Matt said aye, too. 

“ A good enough name for any aircraft,” was 
James Slosson’s comment. “ You ought to have 
a lot of fun in the Skylark. I know I’d have, if 
I owned her.” 

“ Well, now she is named, supposing we go up? ” 
said Harry, who was impatient to have his first 
flight. 

“ I’ll give her a little tryout and then take you 
up,” answered the aviator, and got aboard and in 
the air without further delay. The tryout proved 


94 


THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


that the biplane was in good condition, and then 
he came down and told Harry to take the seat be- 
side him. 

“ And be sure to hold on good and tight,” he 
said. “ I won’t strap you in, because, in case of 
a fall, you might want to jump. But don’t let go 
unless I tell you to.” 

It must be admitted that the younger Westmore 
boy was just a bit nervous as he took the seat as- 
signed to him. It was one thing to talk about 
flying and quite another to really make a flight. 

I wish you luck, Harry,” said his brother, ear- 
nestly. 

We all do,” added Fred. 

Once more the propellers were started and James 
Slosson cried out to let her go ! ” With a rush 
and a roar the Skylark gathered speed and sped 
across the field. Then she slowly arose, heading 
in the direction of Pine Lake. Soon the biplane 
was a full hundred feet in the air and well out over 
the water. 

'' Hurrah! ” cried Link and Fred. ‘‘ Hurrah for 
Harry and his first trip through the air I ” 

“ And may it not prove to be his last I ” added 
Bart. 

Slowly the Skylark sped onward, over the smooth 
water of the lake. It went almost to the opposite 


HAEEY IN THE AIE 95 

shore, then made a wide turn to the northward and 
came slowly towards Lakeport. 

“ She’s running all right,” remarked Joe. But 
hardly had he spoken when the explosions of the 
engine suddenly ceased. Then the aircraft com- 
menced to settle down rapidly, as if about to sink 
into the bosom of the lake ! 


CHAPTER X 


OVER THE LAKE 

She’s coming down ! ” 

** Something is the matter with the motor ! ” 

Look ! look ! she is heading directly for that 
motor boat ! ” 

‘‘ It’s Si Voup’s craft, and Si and Ike are on 
board!” 

These and other cries rang out, as the big bi- 
plane came swooping down, closer and closer to the 
surface of Pine Lake. A number of boats were 
out, the occupants watching the flight of the Sky- 
lark, Among the craft was the motor boat be- 
longing to the rich bully, and he and his crony, Ike, 
were on board. 

‘‘ Hi I hi I Don’t come down on us ! ” yelled Si, 
in sudden terror, as the aircraft swept closer. 

Start her up 1 ” yelled Ike. ‘‘We must get out 
of here. Si!” 

The small boats were scattering in all directions, 
each person anxious to get out of the possible path 
96 



“III! hi! Don’t come down on us!’’ — Page 96 











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OVEE THE LAKE 


97 


of the descending biplane. It could be seen that 
James Slosson was doing his best to gain the field 
from which he had started. Harry sat still, grip- 
ping the sides of his seat, but ready to jump should 
the occasion demand it. 

Down came the Skylark, lower and lower, until 
it was scarcely ten feet above the Voup motor boat. 
Si and Ike screamed in terror, and both ducked 
down below the gunwale, seeking shelter. Then 
came a sudden puff of wind and the biplane soared 
up once more and over a long dock, piled high 
with lumber. A few seconds later the flying ma- 
chine reached the open field and came down with 
scarcely a jar. 

Safe! '' gasped Joe, and breathed a sigh of re- 
lief. He ran up and assisted his brother to the 
ground. Harry was pale, and for several seconds 
did not know what to say. 

'' Say, that was a close shave,” remarked Fred. 
‘'What was the trouble? You didn’t stop the en- 
gine on purpose, did you ? ” 

“ No, she stopped of her own accord,” answered 
the aviator. “ I don’t know what the trouble was. 
I’ll have to find out.” 

“ You can be thankful that you didn’t go into the 
lake,” remarked Bart. 

“ It did look as if we’d have to swim for it, 


98 


THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


didn’t it? ” replied Harry, and he tried his best to 
force a smile. 

“ You about scared Si Voup and Ike Boardman 
to death,” remarked Paul Shale, as he came in from 
his uncle’s sloop. They are as mad as hornets.” 

A crowd commenced to gather, all anxious to 
learn why the Skylark had come down so quickly. 
The aviator inspected the engine and the ignition 
system. 

Seems to be all right,” he announced. I can’t 
quite understand it.” He turned on the control, 
but there was no response from the motor. 

Perhaps it’s the gasoline,” suggested Joe. “ I 
know the auto engine stopped once and it was 
nothing but some water in the gasoline. Dirt will 
do the same thing, you know.” 

Yes,” and James Slosson nodded. ‘‘ We’ll have 
a look at the gas and the supply pipe.” 

In a minute more the trouble was located — a 
tiny bit of waste that had fallen into the gasoline 
tank in some manner and clogged up the end of 
the pipe. It was speedily removed, and then the 
gasoline flowed as well as ever. 

“ And to think that such a tiny bit of waste as 
that might have tumbled us into the lake ! ” mur- 
mured Harry. 

Yes, or onto the ground,” added Fred. ‘‘ A 


OVER THE LAKE 


99 


fellow can’t be too careful, before he starts to fly.” 

“ It’s a lesson,” said James Slosson. “ Never 
attempt a flight until you go over your machine 
from end to end. Don’t let a thing escape you. 
Look to the engine, to the steering outfit, to every 
wire and every nut and bolt.” 

“ Here come Si and Ike ! ” exclaimed Link, a 
minute later, while the aviator was getting ready 
to test the motor once more. Say, Si looks pretty 
mad ! ” 

“ Hey, you fellows, what do you mean by trying 
to hit us ? ” demanded the rich bully, as he strode 
up and confronted the aviator and Harry. 

“ We didn’t try to hit you. Si — we wouldn’t be 
so foolish,” answered Harry. 

“ Yes, you did. You wanted to scare us.” 

“ Well, they scared you right enough,” put in 
a man in the crowd. 

“ I ain’t going to allow it,” stormed Si. Do 
you hear? I ain’t going to allow it! ” 

'' All right, then, don’t,” answered Joe, briefly. 

'' I’ll have the law on you ! ” 

'' Maybe they haven’t got a license to run,” sug- 
gested Ike, maliciously. 

No need of a license in Lakeport,” answered 
James Slosson. 

“ It ain’t fair to let you run around, endanger- 


100 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

ing folks’ lives,” stormed Si. '' Fm going to speak 
to the authorities about it.” 

'' You’d better speak to the authorities about your 
motor boat ! ” cried Harry. Many a time you’ve 
come close to running somebody down with that, 
Si Voup.” 

‘‘ That’s true ! ” said a farmer who was present. 
He often rowed across the end of the lake for 
supplies and more than once had been in danger 
of a collision with the swiftly moving Voup craft. 
“ I reckon the motor boat is a heap sight more dan- 
gerous than that airship ! ” 

Now that you’ve got a flying machine you think 
you are going to run everything,” grumbled Si. 

But ril show you that you can’t! Just you wait 
and see ! ” And he walked off, motioning to his 
crony to follow. 

Si is so envious he doesn’t know how to con- 
tain himself,” was Joe’s comment, and his reason- 
ing was correct. The rich youth hated to see any 
other lads have something that was better or more 
up-to-date than the things he owned. When the 
other lads had gotten plain shotguns for hunting, 
he had coaxed his father into getting him a fancy 
fowling-piece; when the others got rowboats and 
the use of a small sailboat, he had begged for the 
motor boat ; and when Joe and his chums went tour- 


OVER THE LAKE 101 

ing in the Corsen automobile Si had gone on a 
similar tour in another car. 

‘‘ He’ll be wanting a flying machine himself, 
mark my words,” said Link. “ And he won’t let 
his father rest until he gets it.” 

“ It would be fun if he did get a machine. Then 
we might have something of a race,” said Bart. 

I don’t know if I’d want to race with Si Voup,” 
answered Fred. '' I’d not do it if there was any- 
body else to race with. I am willing to let him en- 
tirely alone — if he’ll only let me alone.” 

‘‘ That’s the way I feel about it,” said Joe. 

A short while later the aviator announced that 
he was willing to go up again. It was now Fred’s 
turn to fly and he took the seat Harry had vacated. 

‘‘ We’ll sail to the end of the field and out on 
the lake away from the boats,” announced James 
Slosson. “ Then, if we come down, we’ll do no 
damage excepting to ourselves.” 

“ I don’t want to come down — that is, not until 
we’re ready to do it,” answered the stout youth, 
grimly. 

With much interest the others started the pro- 
pellers and watched the rising of the Skylark. The 
biplane made a beautiful get-away,” as some avi- 
ators call it, and sailed to the far end of the field 
before turning out over the water. On this flight 


102 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


James Slosson made two large circles, remaining 
aloft about eight minutes. 

‘‘Why, that was grand!” declared Fred, on 
alighting. “ When we first went up my heart was 
in my throat. But I soon got used to it. The Sky- 
lark sails like a sloop on a mill pond.” 

“ That is because the air is just right,” said the 
aviator, with a smile. “ On a windy day it would 
be quite different.” 

Bart was the next to go up. He begged that the 
flight be a short one, so only a single circle was 
covered, lasting less than five minutes. He came 
down looking somewhat pale. 

“ It’s good enough, I suppose,” he said, when 
qm«tioned. “ But I don’t think I was cut out for 
a birdman.” And this was probably true, for 
though Bart went up a few times later on, he never 
seemed to get the enjoyment out of it that the others 
did. 

Link came next, and on this trip the aviator 
made a figure eight and flew clear to the other side 
of the- lake. The carpenter’s son was delighted. 
The biplane came down just as the sawmill whistle 
blew for twelve o’clock. 

“ I guess I’d better postpone my flight until after 
dinner,” remarked Joe, who knew his folks would 
be waiting for him. 


OVEE THE LAKE 


103 


“ Might as well,” returned the aviator, who had 
previously remarked that Mr. Corsen had said he 
might spend the entire day with the boys. “ I can 
come back at half-past one. But what about the 
machine ? Do you want to leave it here ? ” 

“ ril watch it for you,” put in an old man named 
Rabig. He did odd jobs around the lumber docks 
of Lakeport. 

“Will you?” returned Joe. “If so, we’ll pay 
you for your time.” 

“ I’ve got my dinner in my pail,” went on Rabig. 
“ I can sit here and eat it as well as not.” 

“ Well, don’t let anybody touch the machine,” 
was Harry’s warning. 

“ Nobody won’t touch it while I’m around, an- 
swered the old man, and then he sat down in the 
shade of the biplane to eat his dinner. By this 
time the crowd had dispersed, the most, of the men 
and boys going home for their midday meal. 

Promising each other to be back by half-past one, 
Joe and Harry and their friends hurried home. 

“ Oh, Joe, did you go up in the air? ” as ed Mrs. 
Westmore, anxiously. She had not had the cour- 
age to go with her husband to the field. 

“ No, I’m to go up after dinner, mother. Harry 
went up, and so did Fred and Link and Bart.” 

“ Oh, Harry, how did it feel ? ” asked Laura. 


104 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 

It was fine ! ” he answered, enthusiastically. ‘‘ I 
thought autoing the best ever. But flying beats it 
all hollow.” 

“ Somebody said there was an accident,” went on 
Mrs. Westmore. “ The engine wouldn’t run, or 
something.” 

“ Oh, that wasn’t much,” answered the son 
quickly, so that his parent might not become scared. 
“ A little waste got in the supply pipe of the gaso- 
line. We took it out, and now the motor runs as 
good as can be.” 

“ Somebody said you almost fell into the lake ! ” 

“ Not quite as bad as that, mother. We took a 
dip down, that’s all — but we landed in the field, just 
as originally intended.” 

Dinner was ready, but all waited for Mr. West- 
more, who had gone from the field to his store. 
Presently he came in and sat down. 

“Joe, you must be very careful how the bi- 
plane is used in the future,” said the flour and feed 
merchant, as he carved the steak on the platter 
before him. “ That Voup boy and the Boardman 
boy are telling everybody you are reckless and will 
smash into somebody before long. Folks will be 
getting nervous, unless you can show them that 
there is no danger.” 

“ We’ll be as careful as possible, sir,” answered 


OVEE THE LAKE 


105 


Joe. “And when I see Si and Ike again I’ll tell 
them they had better mind their own business,” he 
added, somewhat warmly. 

“ Oh, do not get into another quarrel,” pleaded 
Mrs. Westmore. “ You boys seem to quarrel all 
the time! ” 

“ Well, Si and Ike have no right to talk as they 
do,” said Harry. 

“ True. But remember the old saying : ‘ The least 
said the soonest mended,’ ” answered the mother. 

“ So you are to go up this afternoon, Joe,” said 
Mr. Westmore. “ I wish you success.” 

“ Wouldn’t you like to try it yourself. Dad? ” 

“ Hardly ! ” and Mr. Westmore laughed. “ I’m 
too old to learn such new tricks. I’ll stay on the 
ground. When are you going up ? ” 

“ About two o’clock, I think.” 

“ Then I may be over to see the flight.” 


CHAPTER XI 


A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 

The boys were just finishing their pie when the 
front door bell rang and Laura Westmore went to 
answer the summons. She found there a boy who 
did odd jobs around the railroad station and tele- 
graph office. 

'‘Joseph Westmore lives here; doesn’t he?” 
asked the lad. 

" Yes,” replied Laura. 

" Here is a telegram for him.” 

" A telegram ? ” repeated the girl, in surprise, 
for such things were scarce with the Westmore 
family. " Joe ! ” she called.' 

Her brother came out and took the yellow en- 
velope the lad handed forth, and signed for it. 

" Any charge ? ” he questioned. 

" No, it’s paid for,” said the messenger, and hur- 
ried away, anxious to get home for his own dinner. 

"Who is it from, Joe?” asked Harry, coming 
out into the hallway. 

" Don’t know yet,” was the answer. Joe ripped 
106 


A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 107 

the envelope open and scanned the yellow sheet in- 
side. Hum! This is queer! ” he murmured. 

“ What is ? ’’ asked Harry and Laura, in a breath, 
and even Mr. and Mrs. Westmore listened, to hear 
'vyhat Joe might have to say. 

The telegram is from Mr. Andrew Akers. He 
wants us boys to come up and see him at once. He 
says it is very important.” 

“ Doesn’t he say what he wants ? ” asked Harry. 

“ No.” 

‘‘ Maybe he wishes the flying machine back,” sug- 
gested Laura. “ Now he is getting better he may 
wish to fly again.” 

“No, I don’t think it is that,” answered her big 
brother. 

“ Well, we’ll have to go to Cresco and see him, 
that is all there is to it,” said Harry, after glancing 
at the brief message, which gave no hint of any- 
thing more than Joe had told. “ From the telegram 
I should say he wanted to see all of us.” 

“ Yes.” 

“ How can we go ? We can’t get a train, or a 
boat, just now, and we haven’t the auto any 
more.” 

“ But we have our wheels, and we can go up, just 
as we did when we played football up there,” an- 
swered Joe. “ This settles one thing,” he added. 


108 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ I don’t fly to-day. We’ll have to put the biplane 
away.” 

The two brothers discussed the situation for a 
few minutes, and arranged that while Harry got out 
the bicycles and looked them over, and notified 
Fred and Bart of what was wanted of them, Joe 
should notify Link and see to it that the flying 
machine was stored away once more in the car- 
penter shop. 

“If we only knew enough, we could fly to 
Cresco,” said the younger Westmore youth. 

“ The biplane wouldn’t carry all of us,” answered 
his brother. “ But never mind, it will be a nice run 
up there on our wheels.” 

Joe was soon on his way to Link’s home. The 
carpenter’s son was just finishing his noonday 
chores, having had dinner some time before. He 
listened with interest to what his chum had to tell. 

“ That surely is queer,” was his comment. “ Of 
course we’ll go, and my wheel is ready for use any 
time. Wonder what he wants?” 

“ I give it up,” answered Joe. 

The two lads hurried to the field where the bi- 
plane had been left. As they came closer, they saw 
two other boys running off in the opposite direc- 
tion. 

“ Look there 1 ” exclaimed the carpenter’s son. 


A MESSAGE OF IMPOETANCE 109 


Do you know who they are, Joe? Si Voup and 
Ike Boardman ! ” 

“ Then they must have been around our flying 
machine ! ” was the quick response. “ Hope they 
didn’t injure it.” 

It would be like them to ruin it if they could,” 
said Link, bitterly. They hate to see us enjoying 
anything they can’t have.” 

Both of the boys quickened their footsteps until 
they reached the spot where the Skylark rested. As 
they came up they saw Rabig jump to his feet, stick 
in hand. 

Oh, I thought them pesky fellers was a-comin’ 
back,” said the old man, when he recognized the 
lads. 

‘‘What pesky fellows?” demanded Joe. 

“ Two boys as was here a bit ago. They was 
very snoopy, an’ I had all I could do to keep ’em 
away from the machine.” 

“ I hope you didn’t let them touch it,” cried Link. 

“ Not much ! I told ’em to clear out an’ mind 
their own business. They said they only wanted 
to look the engine over, but I wouldn’t have it 
nohow,” went on Rabig. “ When I say I’ll watch 
a thing, I watch it.” 

“Weren’t they Si Voup and Ike Boardman?” 
asked Joe. 


no THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


'' One of ’em was Mr. Voup’s son, yes, an’ tudder 
was that boy as is allers with him. I don’t like 
that Voup boy. He onct played a mean trick on 
Mrs. Mallow — an’ a boy as will play a trick on a 
poor widder ain’t o’ no account, my way o’ think- 
in’,” concluded old Rabig. 

Matters were explained, and soon the biplane 
was being rolled back to the carpenter shop, where 
it was put under lock and key. Before doing this, 
the boys sent a message to James Slosson, stating 
that they would not be able to take any more les- 
sons in flying that day. 

Less than half an hour later the five chums were 
on their bicycles and on the way to Cresco. The 
road ran, as my old readers will remember, through 
the town of Brookside and the village of Hartley. 
As far as Brookside the way was smooth and in 
fine condition, and all “ let out for all they were 
worth,” to use Fred’s manner of expressing it. In 
the town they met a few lads they knew, but did not 
stop to talk to them. 

Beyond Brookside came a more hilly country, 
winding around the rim of Pine Lake. Going up 
some of the hills was slow work, and the boys were 
glad enough when the long coasts on the down side 
were reached. The sun was out full and clear 
and it would have been very hot had it not been 


A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 111 

for the fact that they were riding through a thick 
forest, with immense trees on either side shading 
the roadway. 

'' Here is where we got caught in the forest fire ! ” 
cried Harry, when they came to the burnt-over 
portion. “ Phew ! but that was a narrow escape ! ” 

“Yes, and we might not have gotten out at all 
if it hadn’t been for Joel Runnell,” added Fred. 

“ Any danger of forest fires now ? ” asked Bart, 
who was puffing roundly because of the long hill 
just ascended. 

“ I haven’t heard of any fires this summer,” an- 
swered Joe. “ Since that last burn-over the farmers 
and hunters are very careful about starting a 
blaze.” 

“ They ought to be careful ! ” cried Link. “ See 
what valuable trees they burn down. And my dad 
says good lumber is getting scarce enough as it is.” 

At the top of the longest of the hills the boys sat 
down to rest. Bart had brought some juicy apples 
along and each munched one of these. As they 
took it easy they talked over the matter that had 
brought them on the journey. 

“ Well, it’s possible he wants his flying machine 
back,” said Bart. “ And if he does, I guess it is up 
to us to give it up.” 

“Oh, that will spoil everything!” exclaimed 


112 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Fred. And just when we are learning how to fly, 
too ! ” 

'' Wonder if we couldn’t build a machine — if we 
have to return the Skylark?” said Link. I could 
get the carpenter’s tools, and maybe the wood.” 

But how about the engine ? ” asked the stout 
youth. “ That’s the very heart of the flying ma- 
chine.” 

'' Couldn’t we get some engine out of an old 
auto ? ” 

It wouldn’t do,” answered Joe. “ The engine 
of a flying machine must not only be powerful but 
it must also be light in weight. You could never 
sail up into the air with an old auto engine.” 

Oh, I don’t think he wants the flying machine 
back,” said Harry. '' It’s something else — but what 
I can’t imagine.” 

“ It’s queer he wanted all of us to visit him,” 
went on Bart, as he got up, followed by the rest. 

Why didn’t he ask just Joe, or some one else? ” 

Nobody could answer that question, so nobody 
tried. On they went again, down the hill and over 
a flat stretch of country. Then they passed over 
another hill, from the top of which they could see 
the church spires of Cresco. 

'' Only a couple of miles more, boys ! ” cried Joe. 

And a pretty good road all the way.” 


A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 113 


‘‘ And Fm glad of it,” answered Fred. He was 
so short and stout that the long stretch on the 
bicycle was beginning to tell on him. 

A little further on they left the forest behind and 
came out on a country road lined on either side 
with farms. One farm had a hooded well close to 
the front gate, and here Harry insisted upon stop- 
ping for a drink. 

‘‘ Might as well wait until we get to Runnell’s,” 
grumbled his brother, who was anxious to learn 
the true meaning of the message sent to him. 

Oh, we don’t want to show up there all out of 
breath,” was Harry’s reply. And he drew up a 
bucket of ice-cold water and each lad drank more 
than was perhaps good for him in that over-heated 
condition. Then they were off once more. 

No use of going into Cresco proper,” said Fred. 
‘‘We can take the side road that runs right past 
the Runnell cottage.” 

“ Just what I calculated to do,” answered Joe. 

In a few minutes they came to the side road in 
question and turned down this, past more farms. 
Then they crossed a brook spanned by a quaint 
wooden bridge. Just beyond was a side street of 
Cresco and on this was located the home of the 
old hunter who had been their friend for so many 
years. 


114 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


As they rode up, Joe gave a long whistle that 
was well known to Joel Runnell. He was about 
to repeat it, when the front door of the cottage was 
thrown open, and the old hunter came out. He 
held up his hand as if to warn the boys to keep 
quiet, and at the same time closed the cottage door 
carefully behind him. 

What is it? What’s the matter?” asked Joe, 
quickly, for he could readily see by the old hunter’s 
manner that something was wrong. 

“ He just fell into a doze a while ago an’ I don’t 
want you to wake him up,” answered Joel Runnell. 
‘‘ He’s had a bad day an’ night o’ it, I can tell you! 
I was ’most tempted to git a doctor two or three 
times, only I knowed he didn’t want ’em around.” 

“ But what is wrong ? Why did he send for 
us?” asked Harry, as the boys dismounted and 
rolled their wheels to a shed in the rear of the 
cottage. 

“ I don’t know exactly. But it’s something about 
that black box that he dropped from his flyin’ ma- 
chine and you found an’ brung back to him. He 
wanted to know if I had opened it, an’ when I said 
I hadn’t he went wild-like an’ insisted on sendin’ 
that message to Joe.” 

‘‘The black box!” cried Joe. 

“We didn’t open it, either,” put in his brother. 


A MESSAGE OF IMPORTANCE 115 


It was locked and we had no key,” explained 
Fred. 

Why, he said the contents of the box were all 
right when we were here before,” added the car- 
penter’s son. “ He was very thankful that it was 
so, too.” 

‘‘ Well, I can’t understand it,” returned Joel Run- 
nell. ‘‘ He had the box an’ was lookin’ in it, all 
by himself, an’ all to onct he let out a scream an’ 
almost fainted. Then he asked me about the box 
an’ got wilder an’ wilder, and had me send the 
message in his name. I hated to leave him to do it, 
but he made me go, an’ I run all the way to the 
telegraph office an’ back. Then he had another 
wild spell an’ I had all I could do to quiet him. At 
last he got so exhausted he dropped into a doze, 
an’ he’s dozing now — an’ I am mighty glad of it.” 

‘'What can it mean?” asked Joe. 

“ I don’t know what it means, Joe. But some- 
thing is all wrong, — you can be sure o’ that,” an- 
swered Joel Runnell. 


CHAPTER XII 


WHAT THE BLACK BOX CONTAINED 

Not to disturb the sleeping man, the boys fol- 
lowed Joel Runnell out to a barn behind the cot- 
tage, and there the old hunter told them how An- 
drew Akers had been since they had seen him last. 

He is a very nervous fellow,’’ said Joel Run- 
nell, “ and very weak. But I thought as how he 
was gettin’ right smart until this business o’ the 
box came up. Now he has gone down ag’in, an’ 
there ain’t no tellin’ when he’ll git up once more.” 

“ The contents of the box must be very valua- 
ble,” said Fred. ‘‘ Did he hide it, as he said he 
would ? ” 

“ Yes, — one day when I went to the store for 
some meat. He had been to the woodshed an’ the 
barn, weak as he was. But I dunno where he put 
the box. Then, when I went to the store yesterday, 
he got the box back ag’in.” 

“ Has anybody been here to see him ? ” ques- 
tioned Harry. 


116 


THE BLACK BOX 


117 


“ Not to see him exactly. Some folks come here, 
to see me an’ to sell stuff. One day a feller came 
with farmin’ machinery an’ asked the way to Dick- 
erson’s farm. He happened to see the old man 
through a crack o’ the door an’ he was awfully as- 
tonished. He wanted to know wot he was a-doin’ 
here, and I said he was sick an’ restin’. Then the 
feller went off mumbling to himself.” 

Who was he ? Did you get his name ? ” asked 
Link. 

“No, I didn’t. I never see him before, nor 
since.” 

“Hark!” interrupted Joe, holding up his hand 
for silence. “ I think Mr. Akers is calling! ” 

All listened and heard a feeble cry from the cot- 
tage. Joel Runnell turned at once in that direction. 

“ I’ll tell him you’ve come,” he said. 

The boys waited for a few minutes. Then the 
old hunter came back. 

“ He’s sittin’ up an’ wants to see all of you,” he 
said. “ But you better not excite him too much, 
or he may have another sinkin’ spell.” 

Silently the boys, led by Joe and Harry, filed into 
the cottage and to the side room, where Andrew 
Akers sat propped up with pillows in bed. The 
old inventor looked pale and worn, and his eyes 
had a hungry, anxious look in them. 


118 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

“ So you are here, are you ? ” he said, in a low 
voice. “ Got the message, eh ? ” 

Yes, Mr. Akers, and we all came as quickly as 
we could,” answered Joe, softly. 

I am glad of it, because I want to ask you some 
important questions. And I want all of you to tell 
me the truth — the strict truth, understand ? ” the 
old man went on, in a rising voice. 

Well tell you everything we know, sir. But 
please don’t get excited, Mr. Akers. It rnakes you 
sick.” 

'' Never mind about my being sick, young man. 
You tell me the plain truth. All of you tell me the 
truth,” and Andrew Akers glanced from the elder 
Westmore boy to his four companions. 

‘‘We’ll tell you the truth,” said Bart; and the 
others nodded. 

“ I want to know all about that black box — ^my 
box,” continued the aged man. “ Did you open it 
at all?” 

“We did not, Mr. Akers. I told you that be- 
fore,” answered Joe, promptly. 

“ Did any of you open it ? ” 

“ No, sir ! ” came from each of the others. 

“ It was locked and we had no key,” added Fred. 

“ You said you saw it fall from the biplane when 
I was in the air?” 



“And I WANT ALL OF YOU TO TELL ME THE TRUTH. ’ ’—Pa,ge 118 . 




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THE BLACK BOX 


119 


‘‘We did/’ replied Joe. 

“ Did anybody have a chance to get to it before 
you picked it up ? ” 

“ I don’t think so,” went on the elder Westmore 
youth, and the others shook their heads to show 
that they agreed with him. 

“ And did anybody outside of you have a chance 
to open it between the time you found it and when 
you gave it to me ? ” 

“ I hardly think so, sir,” replied Joe. “ Of 
course such a thing might have occurred; but I 
don’t think it did.” 

“ But they are gone ! My valuable papers are 
gone ! ” groaned the old man. “ I thought them 
so safe, and now they are gone ! ” And a look 
akin to agony crossed his countenance. 

“ You mean the papers that were in the box when 
it fell from the biplane?” asked Harry. 

“ Yes! yes! ” 

“ But you told us they were safe when you 
opened the box after we gave it to you,” continued 
the younger Westmore boy, thinking the aged in- 
ventor had forgotten what had occurred. 

“ So I did, but I was mistaken. I looked only 
at the envelopes of two of the packages, — I did not 
attempt to examine the contents. When I came 
to look at them more closely yesterday I found 


120 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


the original contents gone, and in place of them 
some worthless paper, of no value to any- 
body ! ” 

‘‘ Well, we didn’t take a thing, Mr. Akers, I can 
give you my word of honor on that ! ” cried Joe. 
“ As soon as we found that the box was locked we 
put it in the auto and brought it to you. Of 
course while we were caring for you somebody 
might have opened the box and taken your things. 
But I didn’t see anybody around.” 

‘‘ Neither did I,” added one and another of the 
lads present. 

“ Mr. Akers, would you mind telling us what is 
missing?” questioned Bart, after an awkward si- 
lence, during which the suffering man clasped and 
unclasped his hands nervously. 

The old inventor looked keenly at first one boy 
and then another. Then he fell back with a sigh 
and for a moment closed his eyes. 

You look like honest lads, and I will trust you,” 
he replied, slowly. I fancy you have done what 
you could for me, and I know Runnell has done his 
best, too. Forgive me for having suspected you 
of wrongdoing. But I have been very sick and 
this has upset me terribly. If I do not get those 
documents back I may be ruined — ruined ! ” And 
his voice sank into a hoarse whisper. 


THE BLACK BOX 


121 


“ Now take it easy, Mr. Akers,” said Joel Run- 
nell, soothingly. “ It won’t do you no good to git 
excited — take it easy.” 

Very well — I shall try to be calm,” answered 
the sufferer. He paused for a moment. If I tell 
you boys my secret will you do what you can to 
help me ? ” he questioned, brokenly. 

Yes, indeed!” cried Harry, quickly, and the 
others said practically the same. 

The packages contained two things of great 
importance,” went on the aged inventor. “ One 
was the plans of my new gasoline engine — an en- 
gine not yet quite perfected and so not yet patented. 
The other was my certificate of stock in the newly- 
reorganized Springfield Novelty Manufacturing 
Company.” 

“Well, can’t you duplicate the plans?” asked 
Link. 

“ That is not the point, my boy. I have enemies 
and bitter rivals, and they would like nothing better 
than to get hold of my plans and inventions and 
patent them in their names — and thus leave me in 
the cold. And what is true regarding the inven- 
tions is likewise true of the certificate of twelve 
thousand dollars’ worth of stock in the Springfield 
Novelty Company.” 

“ Why, I thought stock in a company was always 


122 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


registered, or something like that,'’ put in Joe, who 
had heard his father talk over such matters. 

So it is, but in this case the registering was 
done — had to be done, in fact — by an enemy of 
mine, Mr. Thomas Mason, of Brookside. Now if 
he or any of his tools got hold of that certificate of 
stock, don’t you see how easy it would be for him 
to wipe my name off the records and place the stock 
in his name ? ” 

“ Would he be bad enough to do that ? ” asked 
Harry. 

‘‘ After the way he has treated me in the past, I 
think he would do anything to get the better of me. 
Some years ago I exposed some of his underhanded 
work in the organizing of a windmill company and 
he has never forgiven me for it. I saved the money 
of a number of poor and needy stockholders and 
came close to sending Mason to prison. That made 
him very bitter, and since then he has done all in 
his power to corner me. I knew he was after my 
new gasoline-engine ideas, but I did not know he 
was in the newly-organized Novelty Manufacturing 
Company until I had agreed to put my cash into it, 
— and then it was too late to withdraw. Then I got 
interested in aviation, and I did not give him an- 
other thought until I heard that he was snooping 
around, watching me like a cat watches a mouse. 


THE BLACK BOX 


123 


That made me nervous, and that is why I carried 
the black box with me, as I told you before. Now 
I reckon I would have done better had I hidden it 
somewhere,” added Andrew Akers, bitterly. 

“ Have you seen this Mr. Mason around any- 
where?” asked Joe. 

‘‘ No, he has not dared to show his face here. 
But I feel sure he is keeping track of me.” 

“ But you haven’t any proofs that he has your 
documents,” said Bart, bluntly. ‘‘ After all, Mr. 
Akers, you may be misjudging the man.” 

“Possibly; but I don’t think so. If you boys 
didn’t take those documents — and I believe now 
that you didn’t — then I feel certain that Mason or 
somebody acting for him took them.” 

“ Well, we wouldn’t dare go to him and accuse 
him without some proofs,” said Link. “ He might 
have us locked up if we did that.” 

“No, that would do no good, my boy. But I 
know what one of you might do ! ” cried the aged 
inventor, brightening. “ You might go to Spring- 
field and find out about that stock — see if it is still 
in my name. You could say that I wanted to sell 
it to your father, and that he wanted to know if it 
was all right. If the clerk in charge says it is there 
on the books, in my name, that will be proof in 
court that the stock is mine. I can sign a letter 


124 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


offering the stock to Mr. Westmore, or Mr. Rush, 
or whoever you please, — just for a blind.” 

All right, sir — I will do that,” answered Joe, 
readily. “ I can run up to Springfield on the train 
to-morrow.” 

Take somebody along as an additional wit- 
ness.” 

ril go with Joe,” put in Fred. “ I’ve got an 
aunt in Springfield and we can call on her and get 
dinner there.” 

By this time the aged inventor was almost ex- 
hausted and he had to rest a while before dictating 
the letter which he later on signed. He told some- 
thing of his business, and also let fall the informa- 
tion that he had hidden the black box in the barn, 
just as Joel Runnell had surmised. 

I was afraid Mason or his tools would come in 
here while Runnell was away and rob me,” he said. 

“ Maybe they took the documents while the box 
was in the barn,” suggested Link. 

Possibly, although I hid it in a safe place, under 
some old lumber.” 

‘‘If we find the stock is all right in your name, 
maybe you can cover your ideas for the new engine, 
too,” added Harry, hopefully. 

“ I doubt it. If they have the working plans, 
they can go ahead and get the patent while I am 


THE BLACK BOX 


125 


sick here,” answered the sufferer, with a long sigh. 

More talk followed, but soon it was plain to be 
seen that Andrew Akers was on the verge of a col- 
lapse, and the boys withdrew, Joe carrying the 
signed letter with him. 

“ Better try to keep him quiet,” said Joe to the 
old hunter. Tell him we’ll do all we can for 
him.” 

** ril keep him as quiet as possible. But he gits 
mighty nervous-like sometimes.” 

Soon the boys had their bicycles out on the road 
and with a waving of hands to Joel Runnell, they 
mounted their wheels and set off in the direction of 
Brookside and Lakeport. It was nearly five o’clock 
and they knew they would not get home until long 
after the supper hour. But this did not worry 
them, for they had told their folks that they would 
not be home until late. 

I know what I am going to do,” remarked Joe, 
as they pedaled along, over the bridge outside of 
Cresco. 

What ? ” asked the others. 

“ Stop at the Dickerson farm and try to find out 
who that man was with farming machinery who 
asked about Mr. Akers.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


A MATTER OF BUSINESS 

‘‘ That’s the talk ! ” cried Harry. For all we 
know, he may be a tool of this Tom Mason.” 

Say, Harry, what are you going to become, a 
detective?” queried Bart, with a grin. '‘First 
thing you know, you’ll be on the New York 
force.” 

" Never mind, it’s a good idea,” broke in Link. 
" Joel Runnell said the fellow acted suspicious- 
like.” 

" The Dickerson farm isn’t much out of our way, 
so it won’t do any harm to stop there,” remarked 
Fred. 

Now that the sun was getting lower in the west, 
it was not so hot riding and, refreshed by their rest 
at the cottage, the five youths made good time over 
the hills leading to the Dickerson farm, which was 
less than a quarter of a mile up a side road midway 
between Cresco and Brookside. 

They found Henry Dickerson and his wife in the 
126 


A MATTEE OF BUSINESS 127 

barnyard, milking the cows. The farmer often 
came to the Lakeport stores for supplies and knew 
the Westmore boys and Fred fairly well. 

'' Hullo, lads, what can I do for you? ’’ he asked, 
pleasantly, as he set down his milking pail. 

I’d like to ask you a few questions, Mr. Dicker- 
son,” replied Joe, and without preliminaries spoke 
about the man who had stopped at the Runnell 
cottage. 

Oh, yes, I remember that chap,” answered 
Henry Dickerson. “ He was agent for a new kind 
of plow. He wanted to sell me one the worst 
way, but I told him my old plows were good enough 
for me.” 

What was his name ? ” asked Harry. 

“ I forget his name. But he left his card. It’s 
in the kitchen. I’ll get it for you.” And the 
farmer did so. 

Lamar Chase,” said Joe, after reading the 
name. Representing the Double Weld Plow Com- 
pany, Springfield.” 

'' Oh, I’ve heard of that chap I ” cried Baii^. 

Why, he used to be located in Brookside — had 
a small hardware shop there.” 

“ Yes, I remember now,” returned Joe. He 
gave it up two or three years ago.” 

Yes, and let me tell you something more,” cried 


128 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


Link. He used to be in the same building where 
Mr. Thomas Mason had his office.” 

Anything wrong with that chap ? ” questioned 
Henry Dickerson, curiously. 

“ Oh, we only wanted to find out who he was,” 
answered Joe. He handed back the card, after 
noting the man’s address. Much obliged. We’ll 
have to get home, for it is late.” And in another 
minute the five boys were off. 

“ That man came from Springfield ! ” cried 
Harry, when they were out of hearing of the Dick- 
ersons. 

Exactly I ” returned his brother. Boys, I feel 
sure of one thing: This Mr. Lamar Chase knows 
Mr. Mason. He knew him in Brookside years ago 
and now he is located in Springfield, directly across 
the street from the Springfield Novelty Manufactur- 
ing Company. His location is 52 River Street and 
the novelty company’s address is 49 to 53 — ^just on 
the other side.” 

“ And he knows Mr. Akers,” added Fred. 

“ I’m going to investigate some more, when I get 
to Springfield,” went on the elder Westmore boy. 

The lads put on a burst of speed, and while riding 
hard but little talk was indulged in. Soon they 
reached Brookside, and just as the town clock tolled 
out the hour of seven they came in sight of home. 


A MATTEE OF BUSINESS 129 


“ I wish you’d come over to our house to-night, 
Fred,” said Joe. “ And ask your father if he won’t 
come, too.” 

'' All right. I’ll do it,” responded the stout 
youth. 

While eating supper the Westmore boys told 
their father of all that had happened. Mr. West- 
more was deeply interested. 

“ I don’t know much about Mason, excepting 
that he is reported to be rather close-fisted,” he 
said. “ But I do know this Lamar Chase — and Mr. 
Rush knows him even better. They once bought 
some hardware supplies together, and Chase didn’t 
pay his part of the bill and it gave Mr. Rush a good 
deal of trouble.” 

A little later Fred and his father appeared, and 
all sat down in the Westmore sitting-room to dis- 
cuss the situation. 

Lamar Chase is a trickster,” said Mr. Rush. 
‘‘ He caused me no end of trouble in that hardware 
deal. And I know that he and Thomas Mason are 
well acquainted, and both have something to do 
with that Springfield Novelty Company. It is quite 
possible that Chase is aiding Mason to get the better 
of this Andrew Akers.” 

My opinion is, this Mr. Akers ought to hire 
a first-class lawyer to protect his interests,” said 


130 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Mr. Westmore. ‘‘ It is a mistake to leave it to you 
boys.” 

“ Well, he asked us to go to Springfield for him,” 
answered Joe. “ He has no use for lawyers, any 
more than he has for doctors or a hospital. I think 
myself he is a queer man; but I think we are bound 
to respect his wishes.” 

“ Oh, it won’t hurt for the boys to go to Spring- 
field,” said Mr. Rush. '' They can take that letter 
and probably get as much information as anybody 
could.” 

“ Very well, they shall go,” answered Mr. West- 
more. “ But be sure and keep out of trouble.” 

The morning train for Springfield left at quarter 
of eight and long before that hour Joe and Fred 
were ready for the trip. Joe had the letter that had 
been signed by Andrew Akers, offering his stock 
in the novelty company to Mr. Westmore. The 
boys purchased excursion tickets to the city and 
then waited impatiently for the train to come along. 
There were less than a dozen passengers to get on, 
and the lads found the cars only half filled, and so 
had a double seat to themselves. 

Why, say, here is news ! ” cried Fred, who had 
bought a Springfield daily newspaper at the depot 
stand. Do you remember the County Fair at 
Springfield ? ” 


A MATTEE OF BUSINESS 131 


Yes, that’s no news, Fred. I don’t care for 
’em much — same old cows and pigs and horses, and 
pumpkins and patchwork quilts.” 

“ Oh, I don’t care for that myself. But the 
paper says that they are going to have an added at- 
traction, which is to take the place of the lady lion- 
tamer, who is sick. They have engaged Mr. Frank 
Dimity, the world-famous aviator, to give several 
flights in his new hydro-aeroplane, from Crystal 
Lake, at the fairgrounds.” 

“ That’s different ! ” cried Joe, his face showing 
his interest. A hydro-aeroplane, eh ? That’s one 
of the kind that can sail on the top of the water 
as well as in the air. Fd like to see it.” 

‘‘ So would I.” 

'‘Will the aviator be there to-day?” 

" Yes, from three to six o’clock this afternoon.” 

" Then, if we get through in time, Fred, why 
not go out to the fairgrounds before we go home? 
We can take the eight-fifteen train to Lakeport in- 
stead of the four- forty.” 

" That’s the talk ! ” exclaimed the stout lad, his 
face beaming. " Fd like to see that chap scoot over 
the water and in the air.” 

For the time being the business that was taking 
them to Springfield was forgotten, and both lads 
pored over the advertisement and over the reading 


132 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


account of what Mr. Frank Dimity had done in the 
past with his new air and water machine. 

‘‘ From this account the hydro-aeroplane isn’t so 
very much different from our machine, excepting 
that it has air-tight pontoons under it, instead of 
bicycle wheels,” remarked Fred. “ There are two 
pontoons under the center of the machine and a 
little pontoon at the far end on either side. I sup- 
pose he drops down on the water just as our ma- 
chine drops on a level field, and he can run on the 
top of the water just as our machine can run over 
the field before it rises in the air.” 

That’s the size of it,” returned Joe. But I 
reckon a chap has got to be careful that he doesn’t 
hit the water sideways, otherwise he’ll go under. 
He has got to come down just as flat as a pancake.” 

The run to the city occupied an hour, for the 
train was an accommodation, making eleven stops. 
Soon the seats began to fill up, with many folks 
bound for the fair. 

The boys had been to Springfield before, both by 
train and in the automobile, so they did not feel 
strange when they alighted at the depot. They soon 
found out where River Street was located, down 
in the factory district. 

** It’s a little bit early yet,” said Joe, consulting 
his watch. “ Perhaps we had better walk around 


A MATTER OF BUSINESS 133 


a little before we call at the office of the novelty 
company. The man in charge of the office may not 
be there. Some of these rich men don’t get to 
work until ten o’clock or after.” 

“ Oh, I guess we’ll find somebody there,” an- 
swered Fred. “ If not, we can sit down and 
wait.” 

A ten-minutes’ walk brought them in front of the 
big factory building occupied by the Springfield 
Novelty Manufacturing Company,, as announced by 
the big sign across the front of the structure. At 
one end were the offices. Looking through a win- 
dow the lads saw two young clerks standing at a 
tall desk writing in some books. At a stand in a 
corner was a young lady at a typewriter. On the 
other side of the office a portly man sat back in a 
chair, reading a newspaper. His feet were 
up on a desk, and he was evidently taking his 
ease. 

‘‘ That man must be the manager,” said Joe to 
his chum. ‘‘ Come ahead.” And he braced him- 
self for the coming interview. 

As they entered, Fred purposely shut the door 
rather hard, so as to attract the attention of the 
man who was reading. He dropped the newspaper 
and looked at the visitors inquiringly. The young 
lady at the typewriter arose and came towards him. 


134 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


'' What is it you wish ? she asked. 

‘‘ I would like to see the office manager/’ an- 
swered Joe. 

The office manager ? Do you mean Mr. Ma- 
son?” 

“ Is he the manager here ? ” 

“ He is the general manager, yes.” 

“ Then Fd like to see him, if he is here.” 

What do you want?” demanded the portly 
man at the low desk, without making any move- 
ment to arise. Both boys noticed that his face had 
a shrewd, hard look on it. 

“ Are you Mr. Mason, the manager? ” asked Joe. 

I am.” 

“ Then I d like to see you on business, Mr. Ma- 
son.” 

^^Whatisit?” 

'' I came to see you about some stock in this con- 
cern, now owned by Mr. Andrew Akers.” 

What’s that? ” 

The words were uttered quickly, as if Mr. Mason 
had been taken very much by surprise. His feet 
came to the floor with a bang and he hurried over 
to where Joe and Fred stood. 

I said I had come to see you about some stock 
in this manufacturing company that is now owned 
by Mr. 4i^drew Akers. He has offered the stock 


A MATTER OF BUSINESS 135 


to my father, and I wish to get some particulars 
about it.” 

Um ! Ah ! ” muttered Thomas Mason, and for 
the moment he looked very much disturbed. ‘'If 
you — er — want to see me about our stock, please 
step into my office.” And he pointed to a side apart- 
ment, separated from the main office by a ground- 
glass partition reaching to the ceiling. 

The two boys followed him into the other office 
and he motioned them to chairs. Then he closed 
the door carefully and confronted them. 

“Now, then, what did you say?” he asked, of 
Joe, although the Westmore boy had told him 
twice. 

“ I came to see about the twelve thousand dol- 
lars’ worth of stock that Mr. Akers owns in this 
concern,” answered Joe. “ He has offered it to my 
father, and I want to find out how this con- 
cern stands and if it would be a good invest- 
ment.” 

“ Humph ! Who are you ? ” 

“ I am Joe Westmore, of Lakeport. My father 
is Horace Westmore, the flour and feed dealer.” 

“ Oh, yes, I know him,” and Thomas Mason 
nodded slowly. “And who are you?” he asked, 
turning to Fred. 

“ I am Fred Rush, also of Lakeport.’’ 


136 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Oh, yes, that Rush boy! Your father is in the 
hardware business, isn’t he ? ” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

Humph I ” Thomas Mason dropped into a 
chair in front of a big roll-top desk. “ Well, let 
us come to business. Let me see that certificate 
of stock that this Andrew Akers claims to own.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


AT THE FAIRGROUNDS 

Joe had been afraid this question would be asked, 
and he was, therefore, prepared for it. 

I didn’t bring the certificate with me,” he said. 
** My father said it wouldn’t be necessary — that 
you had the record of the stock on the books.” 
Hum! Well, what do you want to know? ” 
My father would like to know something of 
the way business is running, and all that, — and he 
also wants to know if that stock is free and clear.” 

You can’t expect me to open our books to you, 
a stranger,” cried Thomas Mason. Our books 
are open to our stockholders, but not to the general 
public.” 

“ Here is a letter from Mr. Akers to my father 
about the stock,” went on Joe, producing the mis- 
sive. He hardly knew how to proceed. 

The general manager of the novelty company 
perused the communication closely. 

'' When did Mr. Akers give this ? ” he demanded, 
noting that the letter was not dated. 

137 


138 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


‘‘ Yesterday.” 

Yesterday. Where is he? ” 

‘‘ That I cannot tell you, Mr. Mason.” 

Don’t you know ? ” And the portly man looked 
at the youth and at Fred sharply. 

Yes, I know, but — er — I cannot tell you. If 
you know Mr. Akers you know he is a strange 
man. At present he wishes to keep his where- 
abouts a secret.” 

For what purpose ? ” 

“ That is his business.” 

‘‘Is it? Well, the running of this company is 
my business. I have nothing to tell you.” 

“ Won’t you tell me if that stock is free and 
clear? My father doesn’t want to buy stock that 
isn’t fully paid for.” 

“If Mr. Akers has stock in this concern the cer- 
tificate will show if it is paid for or not.” 

“Well, he has the stock, hasn’t he?” 

“ I don’t know — I’d have to look up the records, 
and I am not going to do that just now. If he has 
the stock his certificate will show it, and also show 
if it is paid for in full, and also whether it has been 
transferred or not. We have in all two hundred 
thousand dollars’ worth of stock out and I do not 
keep a personal list of our stockholders — that is on 
our records. As for this business, we are doing 


AT THE FAIEGROUNDS 139 


nicely and our stock is worth par, if not more.” 

“ How long has Mr. Akers held this stock ? ” 
asked Fred, after a short pause. 

“ I haven’t said that he owns any stock,” snapped 
back Thomas Mason. “ As a matter of fact, I do 
not remember seeing his name in the list of stock- 
holders. But of course, if he has a certificate, he 
must own the stock, and the records will show it. 
Tell your father to bring the certificate and I will 
look the matter up and give him all the information 
I can. Now you boys will have to excuse me, for 
I have many matters of importance to attend to.” 
And the general manager of the novelty company 
drew himself up as if to close the interview. 

‘‘ Then you won’t look up this record for us ? ” 
asked Joe, as he backed to the door. 

‘‘ No — not until you bring me that certificate. 
Then I’ll be assured that you and Mr. Akers really 
mean business and I’ll do what I can for you.” 
And thus speaking Thomas Mason bowed them out 
of his private office and turned his back on them. 

Joe and Fred felt that they had been beaten — that 
they had failed to trap Mr. Mason as they had hoped 
to do. They wanted to remain — to question him 
some more, — but he gave them no opportunity. 
Much crestfallen, they left the building and walked 
slowly down the street. 


140 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


What do you make of it, Joe? ” asked Fred, as 
they came to a halt on the corner. 

‘‘ He is bluffing us, Fred. He knows all about 
that stock.'’ 

“ Just my idea. But he wouldn’t admit that it 
was on the books. That looks bad.” 

“ Yes, but on the other hand, he didn’t say that 
Mr. Akers didn’t own the stock. Now, if he has 
the certificate, and wants to defraud Mr. Akers, 
why didn’t he come right out, pretend to look up 
the records, and then say that Mr. Akers didn’t 
have the stock? ” 

“ Maybe he was afraid that we had seen the 
certificate before it was stolen and that your father 
and Mr. Akers would demand to know how the 
stock had been transferred, or something like that. 
I think his plan may be to lie low and say nothing 
until he is sure of his ground. In the end he may 
forge Mr. Akers’s name to some transfer of the 
stock, using the stolen certificate.” 

“ Yes, or else — Hello, there he is, looking after 
us!” 

Both boys wheeled about, to behold Thomas Ma- 
son on the steps of the factory office, gazing ear- 
nestly after them. Then they walked around the 
corner. 


AT THE FAIRGROUNDS 141 


He’s disturbed, that’s sure,” remarked the stout 
youth. “ I wonder if ” 

‘‘There he goes — across the street!” cried Joe, 
who had turned back to glance around the corner. 
“ Do you know what I think ? He is going over 
to see that Lamar Chase. His office is opposite, 
if you will remember.” 

Both boys watched the portly figure of the nov- 
elty company manager as he crossed the somewhat 
dirty roadway. They saw him pause on a set of 
steps, look up and down the street, and then disap- 
pear through an open doorway. 

“ Do you know what I’ve a mind to do? ” said 
Joe. 

“ Follow him?” 

“ Yes. Maybe we’ll learn something, Fred. 
Come on, it’s early yet.” 

“ We don’t want to get into trouble, Joe.” 

“ Oh, we can run for it, if we have to. Come 
on.” 

Both boys turned back and walked swiftly to- 
wards the building into which Thomas Mason had 
gone. They found an open hallway, leading to a 
lower loft. A flight of steps and a freight ele- 
vator led to another loft above, that occupied by the 
plow concern represented by Lamar Chase. 


142 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


‘‘ Hey, Jackson ! ” they heard a voice call, in the 
upper hallway. 

Is that you, Mr. Mason? ” came back from the 
freight elevator. 

‘‘Yes. Is Mr. Chase in?” 

“ No, sir, he has gone over to the fairgrounds, 
to look after the exhibit.” 

“ When will he be back ? ” 

“ Not to-day, sir. The man that was to be at the 
fairgrounds had to go to New York, so Mr. Chase 
is going to take his place and see if he can’t book 
some orders.” 

“ I see. Well, maybe I’ll go over to the fair- 
grounds myself,” responded Thomas Mason, and 
then the boys heard him turn on a landing of the 
stairs and start to come down. 

“ Come on! ” whispered Joe, and ran noiselessly 
out of the building, followed by his chum. Both 
paused behind a pile of packing cases on the side- 
walk and saw Mr. Mason come out and re-cross 
the street to his own offices. Then they took to a 
side alleyway, so that they might not be seen. 

“ Did you hear what he said ! ” cried the stout 
youth, excitedly. 

“ I did, Fred. Mr. Chase is at the fairgrounds, 
and Mr. Mason may call to see him.” 


AT THE FAIRGROUNDS 143 


He seems rather anxious, don’t you think? ” 
Oh, I don’t know.” 

But to go to the fair to see Chase! ” 

Oh, he may have intended to go anyway — 
to see the exhibits and the hydro-aeroplane 
stunts.” 

'' No, I think he wants to see this Lamar Chase — 
maybe about that stock ! ” 

Well, if we go we can hunt up Mr. Chase our- 
selves,” returned Joe. 

'' Let us watch for Mason and try to find out 
what he has to say to this man Chase.” 

“ It might not do any harm to do that.” 

The boys walked out of the alleyway on to one 
of the main streets of Springfield, and then Fred 
led the way to where his aunt lived. She was some- 
what surprised to see him, but speedily made both 
him and his chum feel at home. 

'' I thought some of you boys would come to see 
the fair,” said Mrs. Powelson. They are going 
to have a flying machine there. You’ll want to see 
that.” 

Sure, especially as we have a flying machine 
of our own, Aunt Emma,” responded Fred. 

** A flying machine I You ! ” gasped the aunt. 
Yes; ” and the stout youth gave a few of the 
particulars. 


144 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


Well, I never, Fred Rush! What in the world 
is the world coming to! Of course you are not 
going to fly in it.'* 

Sure we are. Aunt Emma. Some day Fll take 
you up ! ” And Fred winked at Joe. 

“ Indeed, you’ll never get me off the ground in 
one of those things ! ” declared Mrs. Powelson, 
firmly. “ Why, I think it is flying in the face of 
Providence! If you fall you’ll be killed!” 

I don’t intend to fall.” 

That is what they all say — but they do fall, 
just the same.” And shaking her head dubiously, 
Fred’s aunt went off to get the dinner ready. She 
lived alone, being a widow. 

It was a simple but well-served meal, of chicken 
potpie with dumplings, and berry pie, and it is per- 
haps needless for me to say that the lads ate as 
only hungry and growing boys can stow away food. 
The lady was glad to see them enjoy the repast, and 
insisted upon giving each an extra helping of 
chicken and a second piece of the pie. 

'' Certainly very nice,” murmured Joe, on arising 
from the table. 

“ I am glad you enjoyed it,” said Mrs. Powelson. 
** Come again — I like company.” 

Wouldn’t you like to go to the fair with us. 
Aunt Emma? ” asked Fred, politely. 


AT THE FAIRGROUNDS 145 


“ No, Fred, you two boys run along alone. I 
am going to-morrow, with some lady friends.'' 

A quarter of an hour later saw the two chums on 
a trolley car, bound for the fairgrounds, which were 
some distance out of the city. The car was crowded 
and they had to stand on the running-board, along 
with many other boys and some men. Many were 
talking about the fair and about the aviator who 
was to be there, and all hoped to see some daring 
flights into space. 

When the grounds were reached, the lads found 
a larger crowd than ever, and they had to fairly 
shove their way up to one of the ticket booths, to 
get the cards of admission. But once inside, they 
found ample room, and they roamed around, past 
several exhibition buildings and tents, and numer- 
ous refreshment stands. 

“ There is the lake ! ” cried Joe, pointing it out. 

But I don’t see anything like a flying machine." 

'' It's behind the boathouse," said a man standing 
near. ‘‘ They are fixing something on it. They 
ain't going to use it until half-past three o'clock, so 
the man told me." 

Then we've got over an hour to wait,” said 
Fred. ‘‘ Come on, Joe, let us look for that plow 
exhibit and Mr. Chase.” 

Joe was willing, and together the youths strolled 


146 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


along, to where some big banners announced the 
wares of the various farming implement com- 
panies. 

''Here is the Double Weld Plow!’' cried Joe, 
presently. " And there is a man talking business to 
several farmers. Maybe that is Mr. Chase.” 

" We’ll soon find out,” answered Fred, and to- 
gether they drew closer, behind some farmers. 
They soon learned that the man selling plows was 
Lamar Chase. He got one order for a plow, and 
then the crowd dispersed, but soon another com- 
menced to collect. Then of a sudden Joe caught 
Fred by the arm. 

" Get back here, behind this tent I ” he whispered. 
" Here comes Mr. Mason 1 ” 


CHAPTER XV 


THE hydro-aeroplane 

The general manager of the Springfield Novelty 
Manufacturing Company was plainly anxious and 
he could hardly wait for Lamar Chase to get rid 
of the new crowd that was gathering. 

“ I want to see you about something, Chase,” the 
two boys heard him say, as he leaned over a small 
counter that had been put up for writing purposes. 

All right, in a minute, Mason,” returned the 
plow man. Fve got to ’tend to the people here.” 

Well, hurry up — I can’t stay here all day,” 
grumbled Thomas Mason. 

Joe and Fred looked at each other knowingly. 
They were behind the wall of a tent that covered 
some farming machinery, and neither of the men 
could see them. 

Now, what is it?” they heard Lamar Chase 
ask, presently, after he had explained the working 
of the patented plow to some farmers and waited 
until he had answered their questions and gotten 
them to take some of his pamphlets. 

147 


148 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 

I had some visitors this morning, Chase — two 
boys from Lakeport,” said Thomas Mason. 

“ Well, how does that concern me? growled the 
plow man. 

‘‘ They came to see me about some stock in our 
concern — some stock they said Andrew Akers had 
offered to Horace Westmore, father of one of the 
boys.’’ 

Phew ! ” whistled the plow man. ** Said he had 
offered it, eh ? ” 

‘‘ Yes. They wanted to know if it was good 
stock and O. K., and all that.” 

What did you tell them ? ” 

I told them they would have to bring me the 
certificate from Akers before I would give them 
any information.” 

Did they say they would get it ? ” 

No. They tried to make me admit that he 
owned the stock, but I told them I didn’t keep a 
list of the stockholders in my head and I wouldn’t 
look up the company’s records for them without 
they showed the certificate.” 

“ I see,” responded Lamar Chase, dryly. 

** Now look here. Chase, we have got to get 
down to business,” pursued Thomas Mason, ear- 
nestly. I’ve got to know just what I can do 


THE HYDRO-AEKOPLANE 149 


and what I can’t do. You must know that just as 
well as I do.” 

I told you what you can do, Mason.” 

‘‘ I can’t do that, Chase.” 

“ All right, then ; we’ll let the matter drop.” 

But what good will that do you ? ” cried the 
manager of the novelty company, angrily. “ You 
can’t do anything alone and you know it.” 

Perhaps I can — anyway, I can try.” 

And lose the chance to make a couple of thou- 
sand dollars,” stormed Thomas Mason. 

“ If I do it will be my loss, not yours. Mason. 
This is the first chance I have had in years to make 
real money and I am going to take it. You can 
either take my offer, or — well. I’ll see what I can 
do on my own hook.” And Lamar Chase spoke 
with great earnestness. 

You want too much, I tell you.” 

Only my share.” 

You don’t realize that I am running all the 
risk.” 

‘‘ Who ran the first risk ? ” 

We won’t quarrel about that. Then it’s your 
idea to share and share alike? ” 

“ Absolutely.” 

Thomas Mason growled something under his 
breath that the two boys could not catch. Then 


150 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Lamar Chase started to speak, but at that moment 
came a sudden cry from a crowd near by. 

‘‘ Look out for that horse ! ” 

A small boy with a toy balloon had walked in 
front of a horse attached to a buggy, scaring the 
animal. The horse danced from one side to the 
other and tried to get away from his driver, and 
there was considerable confusion. Part of the 
crowd backed into the tent where Fred and Joe 
were standing, and the lads were forced to raise 
a back flap in order to get out. Then they found 
themselves in another crowd and jostled still fur- 
ther away from the place presided over by Lamar 
Chase. 

“ We had better be getting back,” said Joe, when 
the temporary excitement was over and the horse 
had been quieted down. “We are losing the most 
important part of that talk.” 

“ Come on, Fm ready to go back,” answered the 
stout youth. 

But getting back was not so easy, for the crowd 
was still thick, and two policemen had run up and 
they forced the boys to go another way, around 
a shed devoted to poultry. But the lads hurried all 
they could, and when they got close enough saw 
that Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase were still 
talking earnestly. 


THE HYDEO-AEKOPLANE 151 

“Then that is settled?^’ they heard the novelty 
company man say. 

“ Yes.’’ 

“ And you will see me in a day or two ? ” 

“ Just as soon as the fair closes and I can wind 
up matters here, Mason.” 

“^And I can depend upon you, Chase? ” 

“ Absolutely. I never yet went back on my 
word — you know that.” 

“ All right, then. I’ll go ahead as we agreed,” 
said Thomas Mason ; and a moment later he turned 
and walked away rapidly, in the direction of the 
fairgrounds gate. 

“Too bad!” cried Joe. “I believe we missed 
the most important part of their talk.” 

“ So do I,” returned Fred. “ What shall we do 
next, follow him ? ” 

“ I don’t think it would do any good. And, 
besides, we’d miss the hydro-aeroplane exhibi- 
tion.” 

“ Joe, do you think Mr. Mason has the missing 
certificate ? ” went on the stout youth, as the pair 
turned in the direction of the lake. The majority 
of those on the grounds were now moving in the 
same direction, all anxious to see what the aviator 
might do with his new a>ir and water machine. 

“ No, I do not, Fred.” 


152 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


You don^t ! ” cried the stout youth, in astonish- 
ment. 

That is what I said.” 

Do you mean to say you don’t think Mr. Akers 
was robbed ? ” 

“ Oh, no. But I think this Lamar Chase has the 
certificate.” 

Oh!” 

‘‘ This is the way I figure it, although I may be 
all wrong. I imagine that both Mason and Chase 
know Mr. Akers and have had dealings with him, 
and we know that these two men here are friendly 
and have had numerous dealings in the past. Now 
I think both knew about this stock and one or 
the other suggested that they get hold of the cer- 
tificate. Lamar Chase, on the day he visited Joel 
Runnell’s cottage, saw Mr. Akers there and made 
up his mind to watch the old man. He did so, saw 
Mr. Akers hide the black box, and opened it and 
took the certificate and maybe the other papers. 
Then he let Thomas Mason know about it. Mason 
wanted to give him two thousand dollars for the 
certificate, and perhaps the other papers, but Chase 
wanted more — he wanted to share and share 
alike. And now that is what Mason has agreed 
to do.” 

I believe you are right — it all fits in so well 


THE HYDEO-AEEOPLANE 153 

with what we know and have heard! cried Fred. 
‘‘ But what is our next move ? ’’ 

We’ll go home this evening and tell my father 
and yours about it. I think we’d better leave it to 
them. They may set a private detective at work.” 

Once at the lake shore the two lads, for the time 
being, forgot all about the errand that had brought 
them to Springfield. They got as close to the hydro- 
aeroplane as they could, and examined the craft 
with interest. 

The machine was about the size of the Skylark, 
but had a far more powerful engine — one of a 
hundred horse power, so one of the working-men 
said. The rudders were all far to the rear, and 
instead of a steering wheel there were several levers 
to be manipulated. At the bottom were four air- 
tight pontoons, or flatboats, of heavy sheet metal, 
painted green, two in the center and a smaller one 
at either side. The machine was fastened to the 
pontoons by means of hollow metal rods, of the 
gaspipe variety, and by a number of wire stays. 

“ There she goes ! ” cried the crowd, presently, 
and as the cry arose the hydro-aeroplane was shoved 
across a smooth float onto the calm waters of the 
lake. There the curious craft floated as on an even 
keel but with a slight tilt backward. 

Wants a little weight in front,” remarked Fred. 


154 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


“ And here it is,” replied Joe, and then a cheer 
arose as the aviator appeared, clad in a waterproof 
suit and cap. He crawled forward through the 
machine and took the single seat, and then the affair 
looked to be balanced evenly all around. 

All ready ! Let her go ! ” came a minute later, 
and then followed a popping from the engine and 
the propellers began to whir around, faster and 
faster. The crowd stopped cheering and gazed in 
open-mouthed expectancy. 

Suddenly the hydro-aeroplane left the float and 
went skimming up the long lake. On and on over 
the surface of the water it skimmed, sending a fine 
spray flying around it. The crowd sent up a roar. 
“ Look at that thing go ! ” 

“ A regular sea-bird, ain’t it ? ” 

Say, that beats a motor boat all to pieces ! ” 

“ Talk about your ferries ! A fellow could cross 
the lake in about ten seconds in one of those 
things ! ” 

The crowd watched the hydro-aeroplane almost 
out of sight. Then the air-and-water machine 
made a wide curve and started to come back. 
Closer and closer it came to the float and the lake 
shore, lined with many thousands of spectators. 

“ Say, maybe he’ll run into us ! ” 

No, he won’t! He knows what he is doing.” 


THE HYDEO-AEROPLANE 155 

Presently the explosions of the motor increased. 
Then the rudder control was shifted, and with a 
whizz the hydro-aeroplane suddenly left the bosom 
of the lake and slanted skyward, over the heads 
of the gaping crowd. Up and up it went, into the 
sunshine, :.mntil it was fully three hundred feet in 
the air. Then the aviator began to circle the main 
fairground buildings and the race course. 

“ Say, that's fine! ” cried Joe. It’s immense! ” 

“ What a fine getaway he made from the lake,” 
added Fred. “ Why, he sailed up like a wild duck 
leaving the water ! ” 

The chums watched the course of the hydro- 
aeroplane with rapt attention, as did everybody 
else in the crowd. It circled around twice and 
then made a figure eight. 

“ By gum ! I never thought Fd live to see it ! ” 
gasped an old farmer, standing by. Sails on the 
water an’ in the air! Well, I’ll be switched! ” and 
he shook his beard in wonder. 

“ He’s coming back! ” said Fred, a minute later, 
and this announcement proved true. Straight for 
the lake sailed the hydro-aeroplane, coming down 
lower and lower. Then it shot along for several 
hundred feet on an even keel and at last touched 
the surface of the water with a slight splash. Up 
the lake it went once more, and then made a slow 


156 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


turn and came back. The power was shut oflF, and 
like some gigantic white swan it came silently back 
to the float and stopped there. 

For several seconds the crowd was silent, then 
came a cheering and a handclapping that could be 
heard a long distance off. The daring hydro-aero- 
planist got up and bowed and smiled and raised his 
cap. Then he leaped to the float and disappeared 
into a boathouse, leaving the machine to his as- 
sistants. The show was over for the day, and 
gradually the larger portion of the crowd dispersed, 
only a small number remaining behind to inspect 
the hydro-aeroplane and see it rolled back to an 
ice-house that was being used for a hangar. 

“ And now for home ! '' cried Fred. ‘‘ Joe, wasn’t 
that fine? ” 

'' Yes, indeed ! I am glad we saw it. It’s great 
sport ! ” 

Better than plain flying, eh ? ” 

As good, anyway. But I’m going to learn 
plain flying first,” added the Westmore youth, with 
a smile. 





Then it shot along for several hundred feet on an even keel 

Page lo5. 



: V li^" .ilrai, ^ 1,1BL 


|r^, ^ f • "M *,iJjjiifm' V-- 



CHAPTER XVI 


JOE IN THE AIR 

When the boys got home they had a great deal 
to tell, and it can be imagined with what interest 
the others listened to the recital. As late as it was 
Mr. Westmore and Joe went over to consult with 
Mr. Rush. Harry went along, and Mr. Harrow and 
Link, who lived close by, also dropped in. 

‘‘ I am inclined to think that Joe has reasoned 
this thing correctly,’^ said Mr. Westmore. ** And 
if he has. Mason and Chase are in league to swindle 
Andrew Akers out of his property. But how are 
we to prove it ? '' 

That’s just the point,” responded Mr. Rush. 
“ It seems to me, what is needed is a first-class law- 
yer, and maybe a detective.” 

I don’t think Mr. Akers wants a lawyer, or 
a detective, either,” put in Link. “ He is down on 
professional people of all kinds. Why, he didn’t 
even want a doctor, when he should have had one.” 

“ Well, a man like Mr. Akers doesn’t always 
157 


158 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


know what is best for him,” replied Mr. Westmore, 
bluntly. 

Perhaps you and Mr. Rush had better go and 
see him,” suggested Mr. Darrow. “ I’d go, only 
I know next to nothing about legal matters.” 

“ I am willing to do that,” said Horace West- 
more. “ What do you say? ” and he turned to the 
hardware dealer. 

ril go to-morrow morning, if you say so.” 
And so it was arranged. 

Of course the two boys had to tell all about the 
visit to the fairgrounds and the flight taken by the 
hydro-aeroplane. What they had to tell made 
Harry and Link very enthusiastic. 

“ That must be safe flying, when you’re over 
the water,” was the comment of the carpenter’s 
son. If you feel yourself falling you can float 
anyway.” 

“ I’d like to have an air-and- water machine my- 
self,” said Harry. s 

The next day Mr. Westmore received an extra 
consignment of goods from the city and he had to 
take care of these, so the trip to Cresco was post- 
poned until the following Monday. In the mean- 
time, on Saturday, the boys got out the biplane once 
more, and James Slosson appeared to give them 
further instructions in manipulating the machine. 


JOE IN THE AIR 159 

“ It’s your turn to go up, Joe,” said Bart. “ Hope 
you enjoy yourself.” 

I’ll try to,” answered the older Westmore boy, 
with a grin. 

As before, the biplane was carefully inspected 
from end to end, Slosson making the boys do this 
while he looked on and occasionally gave them a 
word of advice. Then the engine was given a try- 
out, and the flying machine was rolled to the center 
of the field bordering Pine Lake. 

“ Are you ready? ” asked the aviator of Joe, as 
he took his own place at the wheel. 

Sure,” was the answer, and Joe leaped into the 
extra seat. It must be admitted that his heart beat 
rather fast, but he was not going to let anybody 
know his real feelings. 

A small crowd had collected and there was a 
cheer as the biplane went up with a rush, carrying 
the man and the boy with it. The Skylark was 
headed directly out on the lake, and as he looked 
down Joe saw Si Voup and Ike Boardman, with 
two strangers, in the Voup motor boat. Si was talk- 
ing earnestly to the two strangers, and motioning 
to the flying machine. 

But just then, Joe gave scant attention to any- 
thing but the trip in which he was participating. 
Up and up shot the Skylark, the engine making 


160 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

such a noise that conversation between those aboard 
was out of the question. But Joe did not want to 
talk; he was quite content to hold on tight and 
watch the scene around him, and also watch Slosson 
and learn how he worked the various controls. 

At first Joe was a bit dizzy-headed, and the 
thought rushed through his brain that he would 
be like Bart, content in the future to do his traveling 
on land and water instead of through the air. But 
then his head grew clearer, his nerve came back to 
him, and before he had been up three minutes he 
was himself again and watching his instructor 
closely. 

Over the lake flew the biplane and then skirted 
the opposite shore for the best part of a mile. Then 
they came back over the water, sailing directly 
above one of the small lake steamers. There was 
a crowd on the craft and all cheered lustily, and 
many ladies and girls waved their handkerchiefs. 
Then the Skylark cut a figure eight directly over 
Lakeport, and finally landed in the field from which 
the flight had started. 

Great ! Immense ! ” cried Harry, as all rushed 
up to the biplane. 

You were up twelve minutes,*' added Bart, who 
had been timing them. That is the longest yet.” 

‘‘ We could have remained up much longer, had 


JOE IN THE AIR 161 

we wished,” answered James Slosson. “ How did 
you like it? ” he asked, of his passenger. 

“ It was all right,” replied Joe. I felt a bit 
funny at first, but after that I enjoyed it. You 
seemed to manage the machine easily enough.” 

‘‘ That’s because there is very little breeze,” re- 
turned the aviator. ‘‘ It is an ideal day for flying.” 

Can’t we take some more trips ? ” pleaded 
Harry. “ I’d like to go up again.” 

James Slosson was willing, and in the end he 
took up not only Harry, but likewise Fred and 
Link. Bart had to go off on an errand, and he was 
glad of it, for, as said before, flying did not par- 
ticularly appeal to the big youth. On these trips 
the aviator gave the lads much additional instruc- 
tion, so that when at last the biplane was taken 
back to the Darrow carpenter shop the boys felt 
that they were almost competent to fly by them- 
selves. 

But you’ll want a few more lessons,” said 
James Slosson. '' This is something in which it 
pays to make haste slowly.” 

‘‘Did you see Si and Ike in the motor boat?” 
asked Harry, after the aviator had left. “ They 
had two men with them and all were very much 
interested in the Skylark.'* 

“ The men were strangers here,” put in Link. 


162 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


I asked several people who they were, but nobody 
seemed to know.” 

On Sunday Joe and his chums attended church 
and Sunday school and then went for a walk up 
the lake road. They had seen Si Voup going to- 
wards the docks earlier in the day, and presently 
they heard the put-put of his motor boat on the 
lake. Looking through the bushes they beheld Si 
and Ike in the craft and also the two men who had 
been with them the day previous. 

Well, one thing is certain,” remarked Harry. 

They are very thick with those men, whoever they 
are.” 

They may be relatives of Si or Ike,” sug- 
gested Fred. 

“ Perhaps, but I doubt it,” answered Link. 

“ There they go, up the lake,” cried Bart, a mo- 
ment later. “ Say, Si must be crowding his boat ! 
Just see ’em go ! ” 

Maybe they are in a hurry to get somewhere,” 
said Matt, who was along. “ Perhaps those men 
belong in Brookside, or up to Smith’s Cove.” 

Maybe they are flying machine men,” exclaimed 
Fred, suddenly. 

‘‘Flying machine men?” queried several of the 
others. 

“ Yes. It would be just like Si to get some of 


JOE IN THE AIR 163 

those chaps to come here and see our aircraft and 
then buy something better.” 

“ Humph ! Where would he get the money, 
Fred?” questioned Harry. “ Flying machines cost 
a good deal.” 

Well, so do motor boats, but Mr. Voup bought 
one for Si, didn’t he ? ” 

“ I think he’d draw the line on a flying machine, 
though,” was Joe’s comment. “ Still, there is no 
telling what Si will do — or try to do. You 9an 
make up your mind he is green with envy over our 
having the Skylark f' 

'‘If Si wants a flying machine he’ll bother his 
folks until he gets one,” said Fred. " That’s his 
way. And he’s got a good chance now, to my way 
of thinking,” he added. 

"Why a good chance now?” asked Link. 

" I heard my father talking about some land 
deal in which Mr. Voup was interested. It seems 
the deal went through a couple of days ago and the 
Voups and Boardmans both made quite a pile of 
money. That being so, Mr. Voup won’t mind 
spending something extra on Si — and Mr. Board- 
man will be the same for Ike.” 

" All right — let ’em get a flying machine ! ” cried 
Link. " Then we can have some races.” 

" And I’ll be the stakeholder ! ” exclaimed the 


164 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


humorous Matt. '' Come now, step up and plank 
down ten thousand dollars and a big red apple each. 
Whoop ! ” And in his exuberance of spirits he ran 
forward on the road and turned several cart 
wheels.” 

The boys walked almost to Brookside. They 
talked about so many things, and so earnestly, that 
they did not notice the clouding over of the sky 
until the sun was hidden, causing it to become quite 
dark on the tree-lined roadway. 

'‘Hello, what’s this?” cried Harry, looking up. 
" I declare, I think we are going to have a 
storm ! ” 

"If it is going to rain we had better get under 
shelter ! ” returned the carpenter’s son. He had 
on his " Sunday best ” and did not wish to have 
the suit of clothing spoiled. 

“Where shall we go?” asked Fred, who was 
wearing a new cap. 

“ We’d better turn back,” said Joe. “ Maybe we 
can get home before it rains very hard.” 

They began to retrace their steps. The clouds in- 
creased, and presently came a rush of wind through 
the woods. 

“ Come on ! ” shouted Harry. “ Fd hate to be 
caught out here ! ” 

He set off on a run and the others followed. 


JOE IN THE AIB 165 

Thus they covered the greater part of half a mile. 
Then Bart began to puff. 

“ I — can’t — keep — this up much Ion — longer ! ” 
he gasped. 

“ Sa — same here ! ” panted the stout Fred. “ I’m 
out of wi — wind ! ” 

The two boys dropped into a walk, and not wish- 
ing to leave them behind, the others did the same. 
The wind was rushing through the woods, and 
now and then came a whirlwind of dust along the 
dry dirt road. Then came a pattering on the leaves. 

Here’s the rain ! ” cried Matt. “ Drops as big 
as your hand, too ! ” 

They were not quite as large as that, but they 
were big enough, and soon there was such a steady 
downpour that the boys were glad enough to leave 
the roadway and seek the shelter of the trees. 
Hardly had they done this when they heard the 
sounds of a motor engine coming closer. 

Must be an auto ! ” cried Joe. ‘‘ Maybe we can 
get a ride back.” 

‘‘ It’s coming the other way,” answered his 
brother; and a few seconds later a touring car 
hove into sight. The top was up, and the front 
seat was occupied by a man wearing a dust coat 
and low-drawn cap. 

‘‘ Well, I never ! ” ejaculated Fred, after the turn- 


166 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


out had passed at a speed of at least twenty-five 
miles an hour. “ Did you see those men, Joe?” 

“ I thought I recognized Thomas Mason,” was 
the reply. 

'' Exactly; and that Lamar Chase was with 
him ! ” 

“ Are you sure? ” 

“ Positive,” returned the stout lad. 

What can they have been doing in Lakeport ? ” 
mused Harry. 

“ Oh, they may have gone there on business,” 
answered Link. 

Perhaps they came to see father,” put in 
Harry. '' Maybe they want to know more about 
that stock certificate afifair.” 

“ Would they come on Sunday? ” asked Bart. 

“ Humph ! I guess, to a man like Mason, Sunday 
is of no more account than any other day,” re- 
marked Fred. 

“ Well, we’ll find out when we get home,” said 
Joe. 

Where can they be going now ? ” continued 
Fred. “ This isn’t the road to Springfield.” 

“ Oh, they can turn ofif at Brookside,” answered 
Matt. But maybe they are going up the lake.” 

They might be going to see Andrew Akers ! ” 
exclaimed Harry. This is the road to Cresco I ” 


JOE IN THE AIR 


167 


‘‘ That's true, Harry," answered his brother, seri- 
ously. “ Well, we can't stop them, even if we 
wanted to. Come on, let us try to find some shelter, 
before we get wet to the skin." 


CHAPTER XVn 


MR. WESTMORE BRINGS NEWS 

Well, this is a little better anyway ! 

It was Fred who spoke, about five minutes later, 
after the boys had found shelter in an old barn 
along the roadside. The barn had belonged to a 
farmhouse that had been burnt down some years 
before and never been rebuilt, consequently the 
structure was deserted. 

'' And I am glad to rest ! ” panted Bart, as he 
dropped heavily on an old bench that chanced to 
be handy. Flis weight was too much for the thing 
and down it went with a crash, causing the big 
youth to sprawl on the floor. 

“ Hello, beef is coming down ! ” was Matt’s com- 
ment, and this added to the laughter that had 
started. Come here, Bart, and I’ll help you up ! ” 
continued the fun-loving boy. 

No, I’ll sit here, now I am down,” was Bart’s 
answer, and he squatted on some straw that was 
handy, and here Fred joined him. The others 
found seats near by. 


168 


WESTMOEE BEINGS NEWS 169 

It was only a sudden summer shower, with no 
thunder or lightning, and the boys waited as pa- 
tiently as they could for it to pass over. 

‘‘We are better off than Si and those others in 
the motor boat,’’ was Harry’s comment. “ They 
had no top to the craft and if they were far out on 
the lake they must have been drenched to the 
skin.” 

“ Huh ! a drenching won’t hurt Si and Ike,” 
grumbled Fred. “ Maybe it will cool ’em off a bit.” 

“ And they need that,” added Link. “ Those two 
bullies make me sick ! ” 

The boys remained in the old barn for the better 
part of half an hour. Then the rain commenced 
to let up and the clouds passed by. Soon the sun 
was shining as brightly as ever, causing the hanging 
drops on the leaves to sparkle like diamonds. 

“ All over, forward march ! ” shouted Matt. 
“ Boom ! boom ! boom, boom, boom ! ” he added, 
imitating a bass drum. Then he took a big step 
out into the roadway, slipped in the mud, and had 
all he could do to keep himself from falling. 

“ Hurrah, see Matt the gymnast ! ” cried Bart, 
who had not forgotten the mention of “ beef.” 
“ Why don’t yoii do that in some circus, Mr. Flip 
Flop ? ” And at this sally a laugh went up. 

“ Not very good walking,” said Fred, as he came 


170 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


forth from the barn. “ Wish I had a pair of rub- 
bers.’’ 

Don’t you mind, Bart will carry the little boy,” 
said Matt, sweetly. 

“ Carry nobody ! ” grumbled the big youth. 

Say, but this walking is beastly, isn’t it ? ” 

'' Might go barefooted,” suggested the carpenter’s 
son. But none of the lads cared to do this. In- 
stead they walked in the grass as much as possible. 
Once in a while they would brush against the bushes 
and get a dash of water ; but there were no further 
complaints. 

What are you fellows going to do to-morrow ? ” 
asked Link, as he was about to leave his chums. 

Harry and I are going to keep store for father, 
while he goes to Cresco with Mr. Rush,” answered 
Joe. 

And I am going to keep store, too,” added the 
stout youth. 

All right ; maybe I’ll drop in some time during 
the day,” said the carpenter’s son, and the others 
said the same. 

Mr. Westmore and Mr. Rush had several matters* 
of business to attend to on Monday morning, so 
they did not get away on their trip to Joel Runnell’s 
cottage until nearly eleven o’clock. They went in 
a buggy, Mr. Rush driving a fast mare of which 


WESTMOEE BRINGS NEWS 171 


he was somewhat proud. They did not expect to 
return until some time in the evening. 

Each of the merchants had a regular clerk to 
assist him, but both wanted their sons to learn the 
business, and so made the boys help out whenever 
necessary. 

Joe went to the store first, and Harry came to 
relieve him at noon. The younger Westmore boy 
had been down to the lake front. 

Some little excitement down there,'’ said Harry, 
as he hung up his cap. Mr. Voup and Mr. Board- 
man are down at the docks looking for Si and Ike 
and the motor boat." 

‘‘ Didn’t they come in yesterday afternoon ? ’’ 
questioned his brother. 

It seems not." 

‘‘ Where were they bound ? " 

“ Nobody seems to know. They say Si and Ike 
went out directly after dinner yesterday and ran 
across the lake. They got those two men 
aboard, and that’s the last seen of them or the 
boat." 

“ Why, we saw them, Harry.” 

“ Yes, I told Mr. Voup that. He wanted to 
know just where and at what time, and I told him 
at four o’clock off Perry’s Point. He wanted to 
know if there was anything the matter with the 


172 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


motor boat and I said I thought not. I told him 
they were headed up the lake at the time.” 

Maybe they had an accident,” put in the clerk 
who was present. But more than likely Si and 
Ike went ofif with those two men for a good time. 
Those two fellows may have been squeezing Si 
and Ike for all they were worth.” 

‘‘ Did Mr. Voup know the men? ” asked Joe. 

“ No, he had never even seen them. He said Si 
hadn’t mentioned them when he was home. Mr. 
Boardman didn’t know them, either.” 

“ Well, it certainly is strange where they went 
with the motor boat,” mused the elder Westmore 
youth; and then Jie hurried home to dinner, leaving 
his brother to take his place. 

In the afternoon half a dozen of the other boys 
came around to see them and also went over to visit 
Fred. All had heard about the disappearance of 
Si and Ike and the motor boat, and all wondered 
what it could mean. Nothing had been heard of the 
missing boys, and nothing was known concerning 
the men who had accompanied them. 

It may be all right, but it looks queer to me,” 
said Paul Shale. “ I’ve got half^ a notion Si and 
Ike are up to some of their shady work — ^maybe 
playing some trick on somebody against whom they 
have a grudge.” 


WESTMOEE BRINGS NEWS 173 

‘'If they are they had better look out that they 
don’t get their fingers burnt,” said Walter Ban- 
nister. 

Joe and Harry were quite busy during the after- 
noon, so the other boys did not remain long at 
the store. Fred was likewise busy, and Link went 
over to help him and keep him company. When 
the proper time came the stores were locked up and 
the boys went home. 

“ Dad and Mr. Rush are making quite a trip of 
it,” remarked Harry, when the clock had struck 
ten and his parent had not yet returned. 

“ Maybe they had to talk the matter over with 
Mr. Akers first and then notify a lawyer, or the 
police of Cresco,” said Joe. “ And they may have 
had quite a time of it convincing Mr. Akers of 
what was best to do. He’s a queer man.” 

“ Boys, you had better go to bed,” said their 
mother. “ It won’t do any good to stay up. You 
can hear what your father has to say in the morn- 
ing.” 

“ I’d like to hear to-night,” answered Harry; 
nevertheless, when the clock pointed to half-past ten 
the brothers retired. They undressed slowly and 
looked out of the window several times, but all to 
no purpose. Then the clock struck eleven and both 


174 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


got into bed and presently dropped off into the land 
of dreams. 

It was Joe who was the first to awaken and Harry 
soon followed. 

Is dad home? ” the younger lad asked quickly. 

Yes, I can hear him talking to ma,” was the 
reply, and then both boys hurried into their cloth- 
ing and downstairs. Their parents had come down 
to the dining-room but a few minutes previously. 

Well, Dad, how did you make out? ” questioned 
Harry, eagerly. 

“ Isn’t Andrew Akers a queer man? ” asked Joe. 

He certainly is queer,” responded Mr. West- 
more, with a smile that the boys did not under- 
stand. 

What did he say ? ” went on Harry, impatiently. 

He didn’t say a word.” 

‘‘ What ! ” cried both boys. 

‘‘Not a single word.” 

“ He has disappeared,” said Mrs. Westmore, who 
could not bear to see the boys teased. “ Tell them 
all about it, Horace. Can’t you see they are dying 
to know ? ” 

“ Well, then, boys, Mr. Andrew Akers has dis- 
appeared, and where to I haven’t the least idea, and 
neither has Mr. Rush nor Joel Runnell. When we 
got there we found the house locked up and we 


WESTMORE BRINGS NEWS 175 

didn’t know what to make of it. We looked in the 
windows and pounded on the doors, and came to 
the conclusion that nobody was inside. Then we 
hung around for an hour, wondering what we had 
better do next. At last Runnell came along. He 
was highly excited and glad enough to see us. He 
said that he had been away for a few hours on 
business and had come home to find the door wide 
open and Andrew Akers gone, bag and baggage. 
He had. been hunting all over for the man, but 
with no success. He hadn’t the least idea how he 
had gotten away or where he had gone to.” 

The two boys listened in open-mouthed wonder 
to this recital. For a moment neither of them 
spoke. Then of a sudden each looked at the other. 

Mason and Chase ” began Joe. 

'' And that automobile ” added Harry. 

Do you think they would carry him off? ” 

** Perhaps — if they would be mean enough to 
rob him.” 

What have you learned new about those two 
men ? ” questioned the father, quickly, 

‘‘We saw them yesterday afternoon, in an auto- 
mobile, headed towards Brookside,” answered Joe, 
and told some of the particulars. 

“ Hum ! ” mused Mr. Westmore. “ It is possible 
that they went to Cresco, and they may have called 


176 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


on Mr. Akers. But I doubt if they would dare to 
carry him off against his will. They may have 
coaxed him to go with them.’^ 

Didn’t he leave any word behind? ” asked Joe. 

“ Not a line of any kind.” 

‘'Hadn’t he paid Runnell for his services?” 
asked Harry. 

“ Yes, he gave Runnell fifty dollars three days ago. 
Got the money out of his black box, so Joel said.” 

“ That rather looks ^s if he was planning to 
leave.” 

“But was. h^;^ell enough?” asked Joe. “I 
thought he was^.q'mte sick.” 

“ He may n(M|have been as badly off as you 
thought,” said tne ’father. “Well, anyway, he had 
disappeared, so of course we could do nothing. We 
made a long hunt with Runnell, but got no clew. 
Not a person living in that vicinity had seen the 
man, nor had they seen anybody else around the 
cottage.” 

“ They hadn’t seen Mr. Mason, or Mr. Chase ? ” 
asked Harry. 

“ Not that I know of.” 

“ This certainly is ,a queer proceeding,” mused 
Joe. “It knocks us out all around; doesn’t it? 
You can’t proceed against Mason and Chase now; 
can you. Dad?” 


WESTMORE BRINGS NEWS 177 


“ I don’t see how I can. I haven’t any proof 
against them. We suspect a good deal, but in court 
you must have absolute proof. Mr. Rush agreed 
with me that we ought to notify the authorities 
that Mr. Akers was missing, and so we left word 
with the Cresco police, and also with the authorities 
at Brookside. At Cresco they said they would send 
word to Springfield and to Bralham, where Mr. 
Akers used to board. If he is around anywhere we 
ought to find out about it soon.” 

I don’t believe he left Runnell’s place of his 
own accord,” said Harry, with a firm shake of his 
head. I believe he was either lured away, or 
carried ofif.” 

It almost looks like it,” returned Joe. 

As the family ate breakfast Mr. Westmore gave 
some more particulars of the trip to Cresco. Then 
the boys hurried over to Fred’s home, to listen to 
what Mr. Rush might have to say. 

All we can do is to wait,” said the hardware 
merchant. The authorities have been notified, 
now let them act.” 

“ We’d like to do something for Mr. Akers,” said 
Joe. He was very kind to us, to give us the flying 
machine. If he is in trouble. I’d like to help him.” 

‘‘ And so would I,” came from Fred and Harry. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


LINK AND THE BIG KITE 

But with all their wishes to do something for 
Andrew Akers, Joe and his chums were unable to 
make a move in that direction, for the simple reason 
that they knew not in which way to begin. They 
paid another visit to Cresco, and had a talk with 
Joel Runnell, and with his daughter Cora, who had 
come back, and even visited the police station, yet 
all to no purpose. 

“ We are doing what we can to locate the man,” 
said the chief of police. “ But so far we have no 
trace of him. I think he has left these parts en- 
tirely.” 

One day Fred went to Springfield, taking Harry 
along, and stopping at his aunt’s home as before 
for dinner. The two walked past the novelty and 
the plow places, but saw nothing of Thomas Mason 
or Lamar Chase. They also visited the authorities 
and a place at which Andrew Akers had boarded 
before or after leaving Bralham. The police knew 
nothing about the man, and his boarding mistress 
178 


LINK AND THE BIG KITE 179 


said that a trunk of his clothing was still at her 
place and she did not know what to do with it. 

“ He was a queer stick/’ said the woman. 
“ Sometimes I thought he was a bit off here,” and 
she tapped her forehead. 

Perhaps he was,” admitted Fred. I wish we 
could find him, for it is quite important.” 

'' And I wish he would send for his trunk and 
things,” responded the woman. 

“ Is there any mail here for him ? ” questioned 
Harry. 

No, he didn’t get his mail here. I think he 
had a lock box at the post-office, but I am not sure.” 

This gave the boys a new idea, and they visited 
the post-office. Here, after considerable formal- 
ity, they learned that Mr. Akers’s mail was being 
held for him and had been so held for a long time, 
by request. 

But it will go to the dead letter office soon, if 
he doesn’t come for it, or if the police don’t use 
it to try to get some trace of him,” said a clerk. 

In the meantime the mystery concerning the dis- 
appearance of Si Voup and Ike Boardman had 
come to an end, so far as the general public was 
concerned. The two rich boys were home once 
more, although when they had returned only their 
folks knew. The motor boat was at the dock and 


180 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 

was much scratched up, as if it had seen rough 
usage. 

‘‘ Wonder where they have been ? said Link, 
when he and Harry and Matt met Si and Ike on 
the street. I understand they are as mum as 
an oyster about it.” 

In that case you may be sure that they got 
into some kind of trouble,” was Harry’s comment. 

“ Have you seen anything of the two men they 
took out ? ” questioned Matt. 

No, they don’t seem to be around,” returned 
the carpenter’s son. 

The Westmore boys and their chums were as 
enthusiastic as ever to learn how to fly, and every 
day during the following week they took lessons 
from James Slosson. He proved a good instruc- 
tor, and announced that the Westmore boys and 
Fred and Link were good pupils. Over Bart, 
however, he shook his head. 

I don’t believe you like it very much,” he said. 
“ And if you don’t, you had better not try it alone.” 

I don’t think I will,” answered the big youth. 

When I go up it can be as a passenger; ” and so 
it was arranged. 

The coming of the biplane to Lakeport had cre- 
ated much excitement, and as was to be expected 
the boys of the, town were especially enthusiastic 


LINK AND THE BIG KITE 181 


over it. This led Mr. Rush to lay in a supply of 
model aeroplanes and also supplies for making 
them, and soon the lads were buying these models, 
which were from two to three feet in size and run 
by the aid of rubber bands, tightly twisted. The 
boys even got up contests, to see which model 
could fly the farthest. Some went a distance of 
several hundred feet, and one, — a particularly well 
balanced biplane, — covered nearly eight hundred 
feet. Then Paul Shale got some air-tight silk 
and made a model dirigible balloon, with a car 
at the bottom and a propeller also run by rubber 
bands, and this sailed through the air one day half- 
way to Glasby's Hill, — ^more than a mile and a 
half. 

‘‘Tell you what!” cried Paul, enthusiastically. 
“ Sailing these models is almost as much fun as 
sailing the real thing.” 

“ And a heap safer,” added Frank Pemberton, 
with a grin. 

At last came the all-important day when the 
boys who held an interest in the Skylark were to try 
to fly the biplane without the aid of their instruc- 
tor. Straws had been drawn, and it fell to Harry 
to make the first attempt. 

“ Now don’t go too high, Harry,” cautioned 
Joe. “And remember to keep over the lake if 


182 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


possible. But don’t take too short a turn trying 
to do it.” 

The flying machine was carefully examined once 
more and the engine was given a trial. Then the 
younger Westmore took his seat. He was to go 
up alone. 

Perhaps Harry’s heart was '' in his throat ” as 
the saying goes, but if so, he did not show it. He 
tried to keep cool, and his getaway ” from the 
grassy field was perfect. Then with a loud pop- 
ping of the motor the Skylark arose to a height 
of about seventy-five feet and sailed out over 
Pine Lake. 

‘‘ Good for him! ” shouted Fred, enthusiastically. 
“ I guess Harry is a born aviator.” 

All watched with deep interest the course of 
the biplane. It had been arranged that these initial 
flights should be of short duration — a single flight 
across the lower end of the lake and back. On 
and on flew the machine, in a straight course. 
Then came a broad turn, and the biplane drew 
towards the starting-point, and in a minute more 
came down almost at the spot from which it had 
arisen. 

‘‘How did it feel?” questioned several of the 
lads, as Harry stepped out on the ground. His 
face was somewhat pale and it was easy to see 


LINK AND THE BIG KITE 183 


that the young aviator had been under a consider- 
able strain. 

Oh, it was all right,” Harry answered. “ But 
a chap has got to get used to it before he will 
feel at home.” 

Fred’s trial came next, and he did the same thing 
that Harry had done, although he came down with 
something more of a bump, which, however, did 
no damage. 

Now it’s your turn, Joe ! ” cried his brother. 
“ Don’t attempt to fly to New York or Chi- 
cago.” 

“ Nothing less than Hong Kong for me,” an- 
swered the older Westmore boy, as he took his 
seat in the biplane. 

Once more the motor went off with a bang, and 
the propellers whirled around. Over the ground 
started the Skylark. But instead of moving in 
the course previously taken, one of the wheels 
struck a rock in the field and this sent the flying 
machine off to the left. 

“ Hello, he’s headed for the boathouse ! ” yelled 
Fred. 

‘‘ He’ll be smashed up ! ” cried Matt. 

Over the field tore the biplane, gathering speed 
at every second of the advance. All who were 
watching were in an agony of mind, fully expecting 


184 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 

to see the machine hit the boathouse. Now it 
was less than a hundred feet away. 

There he goes ! ’’ yelled Link, and as he spoke 
the biplane commenced to rise. Joe had shifted 
the elevation rudder and up shot the Skylark at 
a sharp angle, the wheels .underneath missing the 
boathouse roof by less than a foot. Then the 
machine continued to go up until it had reached 
a height of over two hundred feet, when the young 
aviator managed to bring it to a level keel. 

“ Say, that was a narrow escape ! ” murmured 
Harry. His face was white, for he had expected 
to see the Skylark and Joe smashed to pieces. 

‘‘ So it was,” answered Fred. No use in talk- 
ing, a fellow can’t be too careful in this business.” 

“ That wasn’t Joe’s fault, Fred.” 

“ Well, we ought to have noticed that rock.” 

‘‘ That is true.” 

All watched Joe’s flight closely. He now had 
the Skylark under perfect control, and he made the 
flight across the lake and back with ease. When 
he came down he took a long glide, coming to 
earth almost as lightly as a feather. 

“ That was some volplaning for you ! ” cried 
Fred, who had picked up the expression from 
James Slosson. That come-down was as good 
as Slosson ever did.” 


LINK AND THE BIG KITE 185 


Joe, weren’t you scared, when you were headed 
for the boathouse?” asked Fred. 

I didn’t have time to get scared,” was the 
answer. I just knew I had to do something, or 
the machine would hit and I’d be hurt. So I gave 
the elevation control a quick yank, and up we 
sailed like a streak. Of course I couldn’t have 
done that if I hadn’t had a good head- 
way.” 

Well, now it’s my turn,” said Link. I hope 
I have as good luck as you fellows,” he added, as 
he looked the biplane over. 

“ The main thing is to keep cool and act quickly,” 
answered Fred. If a chap loses his head it’s 
all up with him.” 

The biplane was rolled out in a position where 
the course would be free from obstructions, and 
Link took his seat and told the others to start 
up the propellers. 

In the meantime, some other boys of the town 
had come down to the field, to see the flights and 
also to fly some model aeroplanes and several kites. 
One kite in particular, owned by a boy named 
Frank Berry, was a very large affair, made of 
paper muslin painted to represent a clown. 

'' Hello ! there’s some kite ! ” remarked Harry, as 
the big affair went skyward. 


186 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 

It sure is,” responded Matt. “ And what a 
funny figure on it — just like a circus clown!” 

There had been hardly any breeze, but now came 
a sudden puff, just as the Skylark rushed over the 
field with Link in the seat. The wind took the 
big kite and sent it upward. 

The Westmore boys and their chums were watch- 
ing the biplane and for the moment paid no further 
attention to the big kite. Up into the air shot the 
Skylark and Link seemed to have it well under 
control. It left the field and started out over the 
water. Then Fred uttered a cry. 

*‘Look! look! The kite is right in front of the 
biplane ! ” 

Hi ! hi ! you ! ” yelled the owner of the kite. 
‘‘ Don’t run my clown down ! ” 

“As if Link could hear him!” said Harry. 
“ Why he couldn’t hear a gunshot — with that motor 
banging in his ears ! ” 

“ O my ! ” came from Joe, and as he uttered 
the words all on the ground saw the Skylark swoop 
into the big kite. The wheel of the flying , machine 
struck first and then the kiteVent to pieces, scatter- 
ing over the biplane and hanging fast there. 

“ Oh, I hope Link wasn’t hurt ! ” cried Harry. 
“Maybe he got it right in the face!” 

“ He’s got control anyway,” returned his brother. 



Then the kite went to pieces, scattering over the biplane 

AND HANGING THERE.— Page 186. 


f.'* - 



LINK AND THE BIG KITE 187 


“ I hope the kite didn’t get mixed up in the levers, 
or wires, or the engine,” he added, anxiously. 

All watched the flight of the biplane with in- 
creased interest. The machine was too far away 
to ascertain, even with a field glass which Fred had 
brought along, whether the carpenter’s son was 
hurt or not. On and on it flew, straight across the 
lake and then over the woods beyond. 

He ought to be turning back now,” said Harry, 
a moment later. 

“ Well, he doesn’t seem to be doing it,” answered 
Paul. 

“ No, he is keeping straight on.” 

“ Perhaps he wants to show us how far he can 
fly/’ suggested another. 

“ I don’t think he’d do that,” answered Joe, 
soberly. “ We agreed to make short flights only.” 

“ Oh, Joe, do you think ” began Harry in 

alarm. 

‘‘ Wait and watch,” interrupted the brother. 

All waited and saw the Skylark sailing further 
and further away in the distance. They could no 
longer hear the explosions from the motor. The 
flying machine, instead of turning back, kept 
straight ahead and appeared to be moving further 
skyward. 

‘‘Do you know what I think?” burst out Fred, 


188 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


at last. “ That kite got mixed up in the wires and 
things, and Link has lost control ! ” 

That must be it ! ” exclaimed Harry. “ Oh, 
Joe, what shall we do?” 

“ I don’t know,” responded the brother. ‘‘ I 
don’t know that we can do anything, except to go 
after him.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


HUNTING FOR THE “ SKYLARK 

‘‘ Gone!’^ 

Such was the single word that burst from 
Harry’s lips as the biplane faded from view. All 
of the lads strained their eyes for a further sight 
of the Skylark, but in vain. 

‘‘Shall we wait?” questioned Fred, turning a 
sober face to his chums. 

“ How can we follow him ? ” questioned Harry. 
“ Why, he must be miles away by this 
time ! ” 

“ He was almost over the Rockton road,” an- 
swered Joe, slowly. “ We might cross the lake in 
some boat and take our bicycles along and go 
after him on our wheels.” 

“ I’ll take you across in the Sprite,'' said Paul 
Shale, who was present. “ My uncle said I could 
use the sloop all day, if I wanted to.” 

“Have you got her handy?” asked Joe, 
quickly. 


189 


190 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


Yes, she’s down at the lumber dock now.” 

“ Then let us go over in her ! ” cried Harry, 
quickly. “ Come on, we’ll get the wheels and be 
on the way in a jiffy! ” 

Filled with the idea of following the unfortunate 
Link, the various lads ran off to their homes to 
get their machines. Only Harry remained behind 
— to help Paul get the Sprite under way when the 
others should come back. Joe brought his 
brothers bicycle as well as his own, and Fred got 
Paul’s wheel for him. 

“ See anything of the flying machine ? asked 
Joe, as he came back, riding his wheel and guiding 
his brother’s beside him. 

“ No,” returned both Harry and Paul. 

Soon the others came back and all got aboard 
the handsome sloop belonging to Mr. Richard 
Shale, the craft in which they had had so many ad- 
ventures in the past. The Sprite was amply large 
to accommodate all of them and also the wheels, 
which were lashed fast in the bow. The boys sat 
down in the stern, and the Sprite was shoved off 
and the mainsail hoisted, and they stood away 
from Lakeport, a crowd seeing them depart. Most 
of the inhabitants of the town thought Link was 
merely taking an extra long flight, and the boys 
did not tell them the truth — that it had been agreed 
' ' ' 


HUNTING THE ‘‘SKYLAEK’’ 191 

to take short flights only — for they did not wish 
to alarm anybody, least of all the parents of Link 
Harrow. 

Paul knew how to handle the dainty sloop to 
advantage, so the others allowed him to have his 
own way in crossing the lake, Harry and Fred 
assisting only when necessary. The run was a 
short one, and soon the Sprite glided into a tiny cove 
and up to a dock used occasionally by the farmers 
of that vicinity. Beyond the dock was a country 
road leading to the village of Rockton, two miles 
away. 

Going to leave the Sprite here?” queried Joe, 
as he went ashore, carrying his wheel. 

“ Yes,” answered Paul. I think she’ll be safe 
enough. I have done it many times.” 

Soon all were on the road, on their bicycles, and 
Joe led the way, setting a pace that taxed the 
muscles of Fred and Harry. But nobody com- 
plained, for all were anxious to ascertain what had 
become of Link. All kept glancing at the sky as 
they moved forward, but nothing that looked like 
an aircraft came into view. 

'‘If only he wasn’t hurt! ” murmured Joe. “If 

he was ” He did not finish, but shook his 

head dolefully. 

The boys were just entering Rockton when they 


192 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


saw a man coming towards them in a buggy and 
driving a spirited horse. 

“It’s Mr. Merton!” exclaimed Fred, naming 
the main storekeeper of Rockton. “ Let’s ask him 
if he saw the biplane.” And they put the question 
to the man. 

“Did I see it?” queried Mr. Merton. “Just 
guess I did ! Why, the first thing I knew it came 
whizzing over my head, and Dolly jumped about 
three feet into the air and came near shying into 
a stone wall.” 

“ Do you know which way it went? ” asked Joe. 

“ Went a little south of Rockton— in the direc- 
tion of Crowell’s Corners.” 

“ Did you see the boy running it ? ” questioned 
Paul. 

“Saw somebody. Was it a boy?” 

“ Yes, Link Darrow — son of the carpenter.” 

“ You don’t say ! Well, he’s a brave one to 
dare to go up in such a new-fandangled thing I ” 
was Mr. Merton’s comment. “ I wouldn’t go up 
in one for a thousand dollars ! ” 

“ Went oflF in the direction of Crowell’s Cor- 
ners,” mused Fred, as the crowd wheeled on. 
“ That’s about four miles from here.” 

“ But it’s a good road all the way now,” added 
Paul. “ They fixed it up this spring.” 


HUNTING THE ‘‘SKYLARK’’ 193 


On and on went the boys, occasionally gazing 
skyward as before. After leaving Rockton behind 
they kept on for nearly a mile and then stopped 
at a farmhouse to ask about the missing biplane 
and its young aviator. The farmer had seen the 
flying machine and told how it had been headed. 

“ He was flying pretty low,” went on the man. 
“ I rather think he was looking for some place 
where he could land.” 

“ Well, there are plenty of places around here,” 
answered Fred. 

The boys decided to take to a side road leading 
in the direction the farmer had pointed out. Here 
going was not so good, the bicycles occasionally 
getting stuck in the sand. Then they reached a 
point where the woods were thick. 

“If he came down here he’d be likely to have 
a smash-up,” was Joe’s comment. 

“ Let’s give the yell,” suggested Fred. “ He 
may be within hearing distance.” And the boys 
gave their old familiar call, not once but several 
times, and Harry added his “ locomotive whistle,” 
as he called it, by means of putting two fingers 
in his mouth. Then all listened intently. But 
no answer came back. 

“ We’ll go on again,” said Fred. “ We are 
bound to reach him sooner or later — unless the 


194 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


biplane got so jammed it simply couldn’t come 
down.” 

They passed several paths and side roads, lead- 
ing to they knew not where. Then they came to 
a regular crossroads and here halted once more. 

‘‘Which way?” queried Paul. 

“ I’m sure I don’t know,” answered Harry, and 
all the others gazed at both roads blankly. 

“ Guess it’s a toss-up,” was Joe’s comment. 

“ No, it isn’t ! ” came quickly from Paul. 
“Which way is the wind blowing?” 

“Of course!” burst out the younger Westmore 
lad. “Why didn’t I think of that?” 

They soon caught the direction of the breeze, 
which was. blowing along the road to the left, and 
they turned in that direction, satisfied that Link 
must have either sailed with the wind, or against 
it, rather than crosswise of the current of air. 

“ I see an open field ! ” cried Joe, who had once 
more pushed to the front. “ It’s almost level, too 
— ^just the place for a landing!” 

“And there is the Skylark!” burst out Harry, 
pointing to one end of the cleared space. Then 
he let out his “ locomotive whistle ” once more. 

All of the boys rode as closely as possible to 
where the biplane rested. Then they leaped the 
wire fence of the field and rushed over to the flying 


HUNTING THE ^^SKYLARK’’ 195 


machine. It rested safely on its wheels and seemed 
none the worse for its flight of five or six miles. 
But Link was nowhere to be seen. 

“ Where can he be ? ” 

Did he tumble out?’' 

These were the next questions that the boys of 
Lakeport asked themselves. The face of more than 
one turned pale. Supposing their chum had really 
fallen from the aeroplane? Such a tumble would 
most likely mean death or frightful injuries. 

“We — we’ IL have to take a look around,” fal- 
tered Fred, in a low voice. 

“ That’s right,” answered Harry. “ Wonder in 
just what direction he came?” 

“ Oh, he must have come in a bee-line from 
Lakeport,” answered Paul. “ And our town is 
over there,” and he pointed with his finger. 

“ There is a farmhouse,” exclaimed Joe. “ May- 
be the folks that live there can tell us something 
about him.” 

With heavy hearts the boys trudged across the 
field in the direction of the farmhouse, which was 
set in a grove of trees and bushes. As they got 
closer, Joe set up a sudden and happy shout : 

“ There he is ! There’s Link ! ” 

“ Sure enough ! ” added Fred. “ And he seems 
to be all right, too ! ” he went on in relieved tones. 


196 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


Hello, Link ! shouted Paul. 

“Why, hello !” answered the carpenter’s son, 
in amazement. “ How in the world did you get 
here? ” 

“ Came on our wheels,” answered Fred. “ Are 
you all right ? ” 

“ Sure I am.” 

“Why didn’t you come back?” demanded Joe. 
“ You scared us ’most to death.” 

“ I couldn’t get back. Didn’t you see that big 
kite hit me? Well, it went to pieces against the 
steering wheel and the stuff got all tangled up in 
the wires, so I couldn’t turn around. The best I 
could do was to keep straight on and it wasn’t for 
quite a while that I managed to get things fixed 
so I could come down. I went up higher and 
higher and I was pretty well scared I can tell you. 
But at last I got her turned downward, and then 
I looked for some field to land in. As soon as I 
saw this spot I came down. I hit the grass pretty 
hard, but I guess the Skylark wasn’t damaged any. 
But we’ve got to get that kite stuff out of the 
wires and go over the controls carefully before we 
use her again.” 

“I’m awfully glad you weren’t hurt. Link!” 
cried Harry, affectionately. 

“ We’re all glad,” added Fred. 


HUNTING THE ^‘SKYLAEK^’ 197 

“ As soon as I came down I looked over the 
biplane and saw it was not damaged, and then I 
walked over to this farmhouse, to see if I couldn’t 
send a telephone message to you folks, so you 
wouldn’t worry about me,” went on the carpenter’s 
son. ‘‘ But they haven’t any telephone.” 

‘‘ It won’t be necessary to telephone now,” an- 
swered Joe. “ If the biplane is all right, one of 
us can sail it back to Lakeport.” 

‘"Who?” demanded Fred. 

“ I will, if the others are willing,” answered Joe. 
“ But I want to give it a try-out first.” 

Let us look her over,” said his brother. 

Accompanied by the farmer who owned the 
place, his wife, and two full-grown sons, the boys 
of Lakeport hurried over to where the Skylark 
rested. The folks of the farm were deeply in- 
terested in the machine and said they would assist 
in getting it ready for another flight. 

“ It sure is great traveling,” remarked one of 
the sons of the farmer. “ Beats a horse on a plank 
road all hollow ! ” 

The lads needed no help, and they personally 
saw to it that the wreck of the big kite was cleared 
away, and then tested every wire, and every other 
part of the biplane with care. This took them 
nearly an hour. 


198 THE AIRCKAFT BOYS 


‘‘ I guess she’s all right now,” said Joe, at last. 
‘‘ I’ll try her over this field and that beyond,” and 
this was done. The Skylark went up with ease, 
and the elder Westmore youth found that the con- 
trols now worked as well as ever. 

‘‘ Now for the flight back to Lakeport,” said 
Fred. ‘‘Do you think you can manage it, Joe? 
You’ll have to face the wind.” 

“ I think I can, Fred. There is very little 
breeze.” 

“ Be careful,” warned Harry. 

“ I’ll take care of your bicycle,” added Link. 

Then the motor was started up once more, and 
Joe took his seat. With a cheer from his chums 
and the boys of the farm, the Skylark shot into the 
air, and Joe headed for Lakeport, little dreaming 
of the strange adventure that lay in store for him. 


CHAPTER XX 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 

The Skylark had been run to the far end of the 
level field, so that Joe could get a good start. He 
went up with ease and was pleased to find that 
even above the woods that lay beyond there was 
little breeze, and that he had to face what there 
was squarely. This would make the flight a little 
longer in duration, but sailing would be quite safe, 
for an aircraft keeps up against a wind just as does 
a kite attached to a string. 

‘‘ Now for the sloop ! ” cried Paul, when Joe was 
well under way. “ Let us try to beat him out ! 

“ You’ll not be able to do that,” answered Fred. 

But come on,” he added. “No use in our stay- 
ing here.” And bidding the folks of the farm 
good-by, the boys mounted the bicycles and were 
off. 

Joe sailed along slowly, and as the motor worked 
well and the biplane was under perfect control, he 
had more or less of an opportunity of looking 
around and below him. Far ahead he could see 
199 


200 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


the water of Pine Lake, sparkling brightly in the 
sunshine. 

‘‘ Flying will certainly be great, when a fellow 
gets used to it,” he mused. Traveling on the 
ground seems slow after this sort of thing. Why, 
if I had a mind to do it, I guess I could whizz 
back to Lakeport in no time! But I won’t run 
any risks just yet.” 

He was soon over the woods, and then he had 
to mount a bit higher, to cross over a little hill. 
Then came some farms and then more woods, 
on the outskirts of Rockton. 

‘‘ I guess I won’t risk sailing over that village 
just yet,” went on the young aviator to himself. 
“I’ll veer a little to the south. I’m sure I can 
do that readily enough.” 

He pulled on the lever, and turned the wheel a 
trifle, and soon the biplane was moving over the 
new course. The aircraft had tilted a little, but 
he soon brought her to an even keel. Then he 
moved over another patch of woods, reaching pres- 
ently a cleared space, — the result of a fire of years 
before. 

On one edge of the clearing was a hut that 
in the past had been occupied by lumbermen. 
As Joe drew closer to the hut he saw two men 
come forth and walk towards a roadway that ran 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 201 


through the woods. He gazed at the men in much 
astonishment. 

“ Mr. Mason and Mr. Chase, unless I am very 
much mistaken!” he murmured to himself. 
“ What can those two men be doing in this out-of- 
the-way spot ? ” Then of a sudden his thoughts 
traveled to Andrew Akers, and to the strange dis- 
appearance of that individual. “ Can they have 
gotten him away in some manner and brought him 
here?” 

The thought filled the elder Westmore boy with 
excitement, and for the instant he forgot about the 
running of the biplane. The flying machine veered 
around and brought him to his senses with a jerk. 
Then he got control again and came around in a 
quarter circle, to save himself from falling. This 
gave him another idea. 

I might as well go all the way around, and 
see if I can see them again,” he mused. I might 
have been mistaken.” 

He made the circle in fine style and then came 
onward at a reduced rate of speed. He saw the 
two men in the roadway, one holding the head of 
a horse attached to a two-seated carriage. Both 
were gazing up in wonder at the biplane, so that 
he got an excellent view of their faces. 

Mason and Chase, beyond a doubt ! ” he told 


202 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


himself, as he swept over the pair. “ Can it be 
possible that Mr. Akers is in that cabin, a pris- 
oner ? ” 

For an instant Joe had an idea of alighting in 
the field and questioning the men. But then he 
came to the conclusion that this might not be a 
wise move to make. 

They are two to one, and if they really carried 
Mr. Akers off they must be desperate characters, 
and they wouldn’t hesitate to attack me, if I tried 
to corner them. No, I had better get back and 
tell father and Mr. Rush of this, and also the fel- 
lows, when they arrive. Then we can talk it over 
and decide on what will be best to do.” 

So Joe kept on and in a very few minutes he 
reached the shore of Pine Lake. Not far off was 
the sloop in which he and his chums had crossed. 
Out in the lake was a motor boat, racing towards 
the sloop at top speed. 

“Hello! what can that mean?” Joe asked him- 
self, and then he saw that the craft was that be- 
longing to Si Voup. Si was accompanied, as usual, 
by Ike. 

Joe felt that the pair would bear watching, and 
so he changed his course so that the Skylark would 
pass directly over the motor boat. Si and Ike 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 203 


looked up at him and their faces showed their dis- 
pleasure. 

'' Humph ! There comes Link back ! ’’ growled 
the rich bully. 

“ It isn’t Link, it’s Joe Westmore,” replied Ike. 

Wonder where Link is? ” 

“ I don’t know. But say, Si, we’d better not 
bother with that sloop now,” went on the bully’s 
toady. Those fellows will be back as soon as 
they see the flying machine coming.” 

“ All right, Ike,” answered Si. “ But it’s too 
bad. I thought we’d have a chance to cast the 
Sprite adrift. Then they would have to look for 
some other means of getting back to Lakeport.” 
And then the motor boat was headed up the lake. 

When Joe reached the field adjoining Lakeport 
a crowd came rushing to meet him, including Mr. 
and Mrs. Darrow, who had learned but a short 
while before of the long flight taken by their son. 

‘‘ Where is Link? Is he safe? ” cried Mrs. Dar- 
row, anxiously. 

“ Perfectly safe, Mrs. Darrow,” answered Joe. 
‘‘ He is coming back with the other boys, on my 
bicycle and Paul’s sloop.” 

‘‘ But is he badly hurt? Did he fall ? ” demanded 
Mr. Darrow. 

‘‘ He isn’t hurt a bit, not a bit,” Joe hastened 


204 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


to answer. He went about five miles, I guess, 
and came down as nicely as you please.’^ 

But that kite ? I heard a big kite got tangled 
up in the machine ” went on the carpenter. 

“ So it did, and it bothered Link a good deal, 
so he couldn’t turn back as he wanted to. But 
he made an all-right landing in a big field out 
towards Crowell’s Corners.” 

“ As far as that ! ” gasped Mrs. Harrow. “ O 
my ! Was ever there such a daring boy ! ” 

“ We had to fix up the machine a bit,” went on 
Joe. “ And then it was decided that I should sail 
her back. That’s all there is to it. Link and the 
others will be here in the Sprite before long, — al- 
though they’ll have to tack over, against the wind.” 

Inside of an hour the sloop came into view, 
tacking across Pine Lake, as Joe had mentioned. 
Leaving the biplane in charge of some other boys, 
the Westmore lad hurried down to meet his brother 
and his chums. Link ran off to assure his folks 
that he was all right, and Joe called the others to 
one side and told them about Thomas Mason and 
Lamar Chase. 

“ Sure, we’ll have to tell dad about that, and 
Mr. Rush, too ! ” cried Harry. ‘‘ Let us do it right 
away.” And he led the way to his father’s place 
of business. 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 205 


Mr. Westmore listened gravely to the story and 
then went with the boys to interview Mr. Rush. 
All agreed that the matter ought to be investigated, 
and in the end Mr. Westmore and Fred’s father 
said they would accompany the boys that afternoon. 

“ We can go over in the Sprite,” said Mr. West- 
more, after consulting Paul. “ Then you can go 
to the hut on your wheels, if you wish, and Mr. 
Rush and I will get Mr. Martin, who lives near 
the landing, to let us hire a team from him. But 
we must all keep together, so that we can come 
to each other’s assistance — should there be trouble.” 

This pleased the boys, and they could hardly 
wait for the time to come when they were to de- 
part. But both of the merchants had matters to 
attend to before leaving, so they did not get away 
until after three o’clock in the afternoon. 

The trip across the lake was uneventful, and 
arriving on the other shore, Mr. Westmore readily 
got the farmer he had mentioned to harness his 
horses and turn them over to him. Then off the 
party started, the men in the carriage and the boys 
ahead on their bicycles. 

Oh, I do hope we find Mr. Akers! ” exclaimed 
Harry, as he and the other lads pedaled along. 

“ I hope we catch that man. Mason, and that 
Chase with him,” came from Fred. 


206 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


Mr. Akers may not have been carried off,” said 
Joe. He may have gone of his own free 
will.” 

“ Do you think he did ? ” demanded the stout 
youth. 

“ No, I don’t. But it is possible, Fred.” 

“ I think those two men are in league with each 
other, to do Mr. Akers harm,” said Harry. “ They 
might not hurt him personally, but I think they 
want his inventions and his stock in that novelty 
company.” 

“ And that’s my idea too, from what you have 
told me,” added Paul. 

Joe had to point out the way to the lonely hut, 
and once he came close to getting on the wrong 
road. But at last they came in sight of the burnt- 
over locality and the older Westmore lad pointed 
out the rude cabin. 

“ Doesn’t seem to be anybody around just now,” 
was Mr. Rush’s comment, as all came to a halt, at 
the spot where Joe had seen the men with the horse 
and buggy. 

The horse was tied to a tree and the bicycles 
left near by, and all advanced towards the lonely 
cabin. Joe and Harry could not resist the tempta- 
tion to go ahead. 

“ Looks as if it was locked up,” murmured the 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 207 


younger Westmore lad, as he gazed at the closed 
window and door. 

We’ll soon know,” answered his brother, and 
knocked sharply on the door. There was no re- 
sponse and he knocked again, and as he did this 
the others of the party came up. 

“ Maybe we’re sold ! ” cried Fred, and walked 
over to the window. One of the panes of glass 
was gone and he looked inside the place. ‘‘ Not 
a soul in sight,” he announced. ‘'Try the door, 
Joe.” 

The barrier was not locked, and opening it one 
after another all went inside. They saw a num- 
ber of newspapers scattered on the floor, and also 
some string. On the open hearth was a big heap of 
ashes. A cupboard held a few old dishes and some 
rusty tinware. The hut contained two rooms — 
that for living purposes having a rude table and 
two benches and an inner apartment being fur- 
nished with several rude built-in bunks. 

“ The ashes are still hot ! ” cried Paul, after test- 
ing them. “ That shows somebody was here not 
long ago.” 

“ Two of the bunks have fresh pine boughs in 
’em,” announced Joe. “ That shows somebody has 
been sleeping here.” 

“ Yes, but it doesn’t prove that Mr. Akers was 


208 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


here/’ returned Harry, and his face showed his 
disappointment. 

Look at these bits of newspaper and string,” 
said Fred. '' They look to me as if somebody 
had wrapped up things in a hurry and gotten out.” 

All walked through the cabin, examining the con- 
tents with care. But no clew to those who had 
occupied it was brought to light. Evidently if 
Mr. Mason and Mr. Chase had been there they had 
taken good care to conceal that fact. 

‘‘ But I saw ’em — I am positive of that,” de- 
clared Joe. And they saw me.” 

That’s just it, Joe,” declared Fred. “ They 
saw you, and they knew you might investigate. 
So, if they really had Mr. Akers here, they got 
busy and lost no time in removing him and his 
belongings to some other locality.” 

Who owns this place ? ” asked Mr. Rush. 

‘‘ The Tarpon estate used to own it,” answered 
Mr. Westmore. “ But I think it was sold. We 
can ask Mr. Martin about it, when we drive back. 
I don’t think there is any use of remaining here. 
Whoever was staying here has gone, and I don’t 
think they’ll be back.” 

A little later all left the cabin and turned back 
towards the lake shore. The horse and carriage 
were delivered to the farmer who had hired them 


THE CABIN IN THE WOODS 209 


out and he was asked about the place that had 
been visited. 

“ Why, I canT tell you exactly who bought that 
tract of land,” he said. “ I understood at first it 
was some man named Acorn, or something like 
that, and that he was going to build a house there, 
where he could be alone, so as to invent things. 
But later on I heard that Thomas Mason, of Brook- 
side, had it. What he is going to do with it, I 
don’t know.” 

“ Acorn ? ” cried Harry. ‘‘ Don’t you mean 
Akers ? ” 

“ Yes, that’s the name of the tudder fellow, 
Akers. But he ain’t got the land now. It belongs 
to Mason,” returned Mr. Martin. 


CHAPTER XXI 


A QUEER CONVERSATION 

Here was a new turn of affairs, and the men 
and the boys listened with interest to what Mr. 
Martin had to say. But the farmer could tell little 
more than what has already been mentioned, ex- 
cepting that the transfer of the land to Mr. Akers 
had taken place some six months previous. 

‘‘ One thing is certain,” remarked Mr. Westmore. 
‘‘ This Mr. Mason is wrapped up pretty closely in 
Andrew Akers’s affairs.” 

“ You are right,” returned Mr. Rush. 

‘‘ But it doesn’t prove that Mr. Mason carried 
Mr. Akers off or is holding him a prisoner,” put 
in Joe. 

Not at all,” said Mr. Rush. “ And, as matters 
stand, I do not see what we can do further. It 
would be worse than useless to make any charges 
unless we can substantiate them.” 

“ Wish I had landed from the Skylark when I 
saw the two men,” said the elder Westmore lad, 
mournfully. “ That is where I missed it.” 

210 


A QUEER CONVERSATION 211 

Well, better luck next time, Joe,” came from 
Fred. “If those men are guilty, they are bound 
to be cornered sooner or later.” 

Our friends returned to Lakeport, and the men 
went to their places of business, while the boys 
hurried home, to do their evening chores. In the 
evening, Joe and Harry heard a well-known whistle 
outside of the house and went out on the piazza 
to meet Matt. 

“ Great news ! ” cried the newcomer. “ After 
this the Skylark won’t be in it ! Put that old flying 
machine in the woodshed and make way for the 
new and up-to-the-minute sky racers of Lakeport ! ” 
And the fun-loving youth put up his elbows and 
moved them up and down as if flying. 

“ Why, what do you mean ? ” queried Harry. 

“ I mean that Lakeport is forging to the front 
and will soon be the racing center of the East — 
I mean aerial racing center,” returned Matt. 

“Aerial racing center?” repeated Joe. “Say, 
Matt, where’s the joke?” 

“ No joke about this. Don’t you know that we 
are to have two new flying machines in our midst, 
as the Brookside Weekly News will state it? Two 
splendid, snowy, awe-inspiring, death-defying aero- 
planes — the wonder of the century and the marvel 


212 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


of the globe? Step up, ladies and gentlemen, and 

buy your tickets for the small sum of fif 

Say, Matt, give it to us straight ! ” cried Harry, 
catching the joker by the shoulder. 

“Wow! Say, Harry, that shoulder is built of 
flesh and blood, not sawdust ! ” exclaimed Matt. 
“ Do you want to lame me for life and three days 
more ? ” 

“ Then tell us the news and no nonsense.’* 

“ All right then, here goes, as straight as a shot 
from Joel Runnell’s rifle. George Dixon, Andy 
Brown, and about a dozen other rich lads of Brook- 
side have clubbed together and they are going to 
buy a biplane. They had an offer of a dandy fly- 
ing machine from an aviator who fell and broke 
his collar bone, or something, and they took the 
offer Up. They get the biplane this week.” 

“Well, I never! ” murmured Harry. 

“If they get a machine we can have some con- 
tests,” added Joe, his face showing his interest. 

“ Item number two,” went on Matt. “ Do you 
know the Bartley boys, of Haverford, Bill and 
Carl?” 

“ I’ve heard of them,” came from the Westmore 
lads. 

“ Well, they have purchased a monoplane— some 
sort of a French outfit, so I was told. They are 


A QUEER CONVERSATION 213 

learning to fly, and they say that sooner or later 
they are going to challenge you to a race/' 

“ A monoplane," mused Harry. 

“ Monoplanes are very swift machines, so James 
Slosson told me," came from Joe. I guess they 
could beat us. But it would be fun to race ! " he 
added, with a smile. 

“ Any more flying machines coming? " questioned 
Harry. 

‘‘ For the love of rice pudding, Harry, how many 
do you want ? " gasped Matt, in pretended disgust. 

Here I serve you two, on a silver platter, and 
you're not satisfied. Maybe " 

‘‘ It’s great news, Matt, and I’m glad you told us," 
broke in Joe. Have you told the others yet? ’’ 

‘‘ Bart was with me when I heard of it. He said 
he would tell Fred." 

Then we must tell Link," cried Harry. “ Yes, 
it certainly is news. I thought those Brookside 
fellows would do something, after they heard we 
had a flying machine. We got after ’em with that 
rowing outfit, if you will remember, and they 
haven’t forgotten that," went on the younger West- 
more lad, referring to some happenings which have 
already been related in detail in “ The Boat Club 
Boys of Lakeport." 

'' Haverford isn’t much further than Brookside," 


214 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


said Matt. You fellows with flying machines 
might get up some sort of an Aeroplane Club.” 

“ Oh, I don’t think that would pay,” replied 
Joe. But we might have some races and other 
contests, just for the fun of it.” 

“ What other contests than races can you have? ” 
asked Matt, with interest. 

Oh, lots of them! ” cried Harry, who had been 
reading several aeronautical magazines. ‘‘ There 
are contests for height, and landing contests, to 
see how near to a mark one can come down, and 
then they have trials to see who can discover some- 
thing hidden away in a woods, or between brush- 
wood, and trials to see who can catch the most of 
a number of round, toy balloons that are sent up, 
and who can drop little bags of sand in boxes placed 
in a circle in a big field. At some of the aviation 
meets they get a lot of sport out of the various 
contests.” 

The next day the boys met at the Harrow car- 
penter shop and talked over the news Matt and Bart 
had brought. What had been said was true, and 
one day of the following week Joe and Fred went 
to Brookside on an errand and met George Dixon, 
and were taken to the Brookside boathouse, where 
the boys who had purchased the biplane had it 
stored. 


A QUEER CONVERSATION 215 

‘‘ Certainly a dandy-looking machine,” said Joe, 
on looking the biplane over. “ Have you been up 
yet?” 

“ Twice, but only as a passenger,” answered 
George Dixon. “ An aviator is coming in a few 
days to teach four of us how to fly.” 

Good for you! ” cried Fred. “ The sooner the 
better. We want some races, you know.” 

'‘All right, Fred; but you’ll have to wait until 
we get the hang of the thing,” responded George, 
with a laugh. 

“ Have you heard anything of the Bartley boys? ” 
questioned Joe. 

“Yes; one of ’em. Bill, was over here in his 
monoplane yesterday.” 

“Here! Then he can fly?” 

“ Sure he can. It seems that he has been on a 
visit to some relatives on Long Island, and there 
•he went to an aviation school and learned all about 
it. That is where he got his monoplane, too.” 

“Is it nice?” 

“ It looks to be a splendid machine for flying, 
although it isn’t new. It has a big plane on either 
side and a very long rudder-tail. The only thing I 
don’t like about it is that he has to sit so close to 
his motor. If anything should happen I’m afraid 
that engine would kill him.” 


216 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Does he want to race? ” 

“ Yes, not only Bill but his brother Carl, too. 
That is what he came over about. He said he 
was going to call on you fellows, too,” added 
George Dixon. 

“ Say, don’t you fellows want to try our bi- 
plane ? ” asked Andy Brown, who had followed the 
others to the boathouse. “ I’m willing.” 

So am I,” added George. 

Not I,” cried Fred. “ I’ll stick to the machine 
I know.” 

Biplanes are not like bicycles,’' said Joe. “ A 
fellow has got to know all about the particular 
machine he is using. I’d not take a chance in a 
strange affair.” 

Well, I don’t blame you,” returned Andy. 
‘‘ Even as it is, they look rather scary, don’t they? ” 

‘‘ Well, so did a rowing shell, when I first got 
into one,” said George. 

‘‘And an auto,” added Fred. “When I first 
ran a car I felt as if I was in the cab of a loco- 
motive ! ” 

The boys spent a good hour in inspecting the 
Brookside biplane, and in talking over aviation 
matters in general. Then they went home and 
got out the Skylark and each took a short flight, 
over the lake and the fields back of Lakeport. 


A QUEEE CONVERSATION 217 

Each time I go up I feel a little more confi- 
dent,” said Fred. 

‘‘ That’s how it is with me,” responded Joe. 

As was to be expected, the news that some boys 
of Brookside and others of Haverford had pur- 
chased aeroplanes filled Si Voup and Ike Board- 
man with envy. In the past both had done all they 
could to ‘‘ cut a shine ” in Brookside and Haver- 
ford as well as in Lakeport. 

Humph ! Those fellows are simply imitating 
Joe Westmore and his crowd! ” grumbled Si. It 
makes me sick to see it I ” 

Say, Si, we ought to get a flying machine,” 
returned Ike, as if it was a new idea, although 
they had talked it over several times. 

'‘All right, why don’t you buy one to-day?” 
demanded the rich youth, who was particularly out 
of sorts that morning. 

" Because I haven’t got the cash, that’s why.” 

" Well, I haven’t the cash either.” 

“Won’t your dad buy one? He bought the 
motor boat.” 

“ Well, he won’t stand for a flying machine.” 

“ Are you sure? ” 

“Of course I am. I spoke to him twice, but he 
wouldn’t do a thing, — said I had playthings enough, 
and that it was time I settled down and thought 


218 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


of work.’' And Si sighed deeply and lit a ciga- 
rette with which to console himself. “ I am sorry 
I gambled with those two men we took to Cresco 
in the boat,” he added, sourly. 

“ Say, don’t you suppose we might get the money 
somehow?” went on Ike, after a pause, during 
which he, too, lit a cigarette. The two boys thought 
it manly to smoke. 

I don’t see how. Flying machines cost a lot 
of money — as much as a high-class auto.” 

We might try those other men?” continued 
Ike, and gazed speculatively at his crony. 

''You mean Mr. Mason and Mr. Chase?” 

" Yes.” 

Si shrugged his shoulders and then shook his 
head slowly. 

" Why not ? ” demanded the Boardman boy. 
" They said they would pay us well for what we 
did for them.” 

" Hush ! Not so loud, Ike ! ” cried Si, warningly, 
and gazed around apprehensively. The two were 
in the Voup boathouse, a pretty little structure 
fronting the lake. 

" There isn’t anybody around.” 

“ Well, I’d rather you wouldn’t talk about that 
affair, Ike.” 

"Why not?” 


A QUEER CONVERSATION 219 

'‘We might get into trouble, and Fve had trouble 
enough. If I get into any more, my old man says 
he will take away the auto and the motor boat, 
and cut off my allowance.” 

“ Phew, that’s rough, for a fact. But I can’t 
see why those men shouldn’t pay us for what we 
did for them. It was hard work and mighty risky 
too. Why not go to them and talk it over ? ” 

“ No, I’d rather drop it, Ike.” 

“ Humph! You must be afraid! ” grumbled the 
other. He liked to help Si spend money, not hav- 
ing very much of a supply of his own, even though 
his parents were fairly well off. 

“ It isn’t a question of being afraid, exactly,” 
answered the Voup boy. “ There was something 
queer about that affair and I don’t think it will 
pay to stir it up. I’ve heard a few things lately 
that have set me to thinking.” 

“About Mason and Chase?” 

“ Yes, and about the man who was stopping with 
Joel Runnell. I don’t think Mason and Chase told 
us the truth.” 

“ All the more reason why you ought to make 
them pay for what we did. Si. Why, perhaps we 
could get a pile of money out of ’em.” 

“ I don’t think so. Both -of them are as close 
as the bark on a tree, so I’ve been told. No, Ike, 


220 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


if we want to keep out of trouble, we had better 
forget all about that affair,” added Si; and just 
then his father appeared and the talk, as well as 
the cigarettes, had to ‘be dropped. 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE OLD CISTERN 

As THE days went by the owners of the Skylark 
became more proficient in running the biplane. 
They went up singly and in pairs, and covered the 
territory for several miles about the town. Once 
Joe flew to Brookside and landed in the field that 
George Dixon and his chums were using for their 
flying machine. 

Hurrah ! cried George, as Joe came down. 
“ ThaPs the way to pay us a visit ! ” 

“ Well, see that you return it the same way,” 
answered the elder Westmore youth. 

“ Sure thing, Joe — only you’ll have to allow us a 
little more time for practice.” 

“You see, we don’t want to sail down to Lakeport 
and take off a chimney or a church steeple,” said 
Andy Brown, with a grin. 

The boys of Brookside were using their biplane, 
and Joe watched several flights with interest. 

“ Good for you ! ” he cried, after a particularly 
good flight by George. “ That’s the way to go at 
221 


222 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


it. Before long we can have some races and other 
contests.” 

‘‘Just the thing! ” answered Andy. 

One day Harry and Fred took a flight to the 
end of the lake and back. This was the longest 
yet, and all of the others watched the. departure and 
return with interest. On the return the wind in- 
creased and the young aviators had their hands full, 
to keep the biplane from “ turning turtle,” as it is 
called, — ^that is, turning upside down. 

“ Hope they get back all right,” said Joe, 
anxiously, as the wind kept growing stronger. 

“Here they come!” shouted Matt. “My! just 
see them scoot along! ” 

“ I guess they’ve got all the power on,” added 
Paul, and he was right. With a daring swoop the 
boys came down, landing at one end of the big field. 

“ Glad to get back, I reckon,” remarked Joe, as 
he ran up, to help hold the biplane. 

“ That’s what,” answered Fred. “ Say, it’s blow- 
ing something fierce up there ! ” 

“ It was certainly a thrilling run back,” said 
Harry, who had been managing the aeroplane. “ I 
can tell you, fellows, it is no fun being up in a big 
blow.” 

The wind was increasing, and all the aircraft 
boys had to pitch in to get the Skylark back to the 


THE OLD CISTEEN 


223 


Darrow carpenter shop, Matt and Paul assisting 
their chums. Then the doors were tightly closed 
and locked, so that their precious machine might be 
safe. 

That evening Link had to go on an errand for 
his mother, and for company he took Harry along. 
The errand took longer than anticipated, so that the 
two lads did not come back until nearly eleven 
o’clock. 

Rather late for you, Harry,” remarked the 
carpenter’s son, as they approached the Darrow 
home. ''If you wish. I’ll walk around to your 
house with you.” 

"Think I’m afraid on this moonlight night?” 
asked Harry, with a smile. 

" Oh, no, I only thought I’d do it to keep you 
company, since you went away over to Reeger’s 
with me.” 

" Thanks, Link, you’d better get to bed. I’ll be 
home inside of five minutes.” 

As Harry spoke the boys turned a corner. Close 
by was the modest house in which the Darrows 
dwelt, and behind it, at the foot of a small garden, 
was the carpenter shop which had once been the 
meeting place of their baseball club and which now 
served as a hangar for the Skylark. 

" Hello! who’s that? ” cried Link, as he came to 


224 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


a halt and looked down the driveway towards the 
barn. 

What did you see, Link? ” questioned his chum. 

‘‘ Thought I saw two men walk around the end 
of the barn.” 

Two men? This time of night?” exclaimed 
Harry. Can it be your father and somebody 
else?” 

“ I don’t think it was dad. I’m going to look.” 

“ I’ll go with you,” returned Harry, readily. 
“ Maybe they are tramps, looking for a place to 
snooze. Well, if so, they can’t sleep in there with 
the Skylark/' 

Ma would have a fit if she thought tramps 
were around here,” answered Link. 

The boys turned into the driveway leading down 
to the carpenter shop. It was clear moonlight, so 
they could see things quite plainly. Nobody was 
now in sight and all was quiet. 

Maybe you were mistaken. Link,” said Harry 
as they reached the front of the shop. “ Nobody 
seems to be around.” 

“ I am sure I saw somebody,” insisted the car- 
penter’s son. I’m going to walk around and 
make sure.” 

“ You go that way and I’ll go this,” said Harry. 

Wait, take this, you may need it,” and he caught 


THE OLD CISTEEN 225 

up two sticks from a pile that was handy and gave 
one to his chum. 

Cautiously the two boys walked around the 
structure, peering into the windows as they went, 
and trying the doors. Harry had just reached one 
of the back corners when he heard Link raise a 
cry. 

‘‘ There they are ! Stop ! Who are you ? ” 

“ Come on, we’ve got to get out of here ! ” came 
in a low voice from somebody at the rear of the 
shop. Hurry up, before they catch us ! ” 

“ All right. Let’s run for the back alley,” came 
from another person. 

Two figures darted out from where some tall 
weeds grew close to the back of the carpenter shop. 
Then the two intruders started to run towards a 
narrow back alley that led to a side road of Lake- 
port. 

Now, as my old readers know, there was a large 
cistern located at the back of the Harrow shop, 
that same cistern into which the baseball outfit of 
the Lakeport club had once been thrown. This cis- 
tern had not been used for a long time, but Mr. 
Darrow kept it filled with water, for possible use 
in case of fire. The box on top had rotted away 
and the cistern was now covered with several old 
boards. 


226 THE AIRCKAFT BOYS 


As the two runners started for the back alley- 
way they came to the cistern. They were side by 
side, and both trod heavily on the old boards, half- 
rotted by the dampness. The next instant came a 
sudden cracking, followed by several exclamations 
of alarm, and then a big splash. 

‘‘ Hello ! they’re in the cistern ! ” yelled Link. 

“ That’s right,’' answered Harry. 

Help ! help ! ” came from the opening. Help 
us out, or we’ll be drowned ! ” 

‘‘ It’s Si Voup ! ” exclaimed' Harry. 

“ Yes, and Ike Boardman,” added the carpenter’s 
son. ‘‘ Serves ’em right, — for sneaking around 
here this time of night.” 

“ But, Link, they may drown! ” 

Not much, Harry. I happen to know that the 
water in that cistern just now isn’t over four feet 
deep. And it’s mostly mud at that,” added Link, 
with a chuckle. 

“ Mud?” 

** Yes. You see, the mud drains in from the 
garden and the chicken house, and we haven’t 
cleaned the cistern out for some time — in fact, I 
guess dad is going to let it fill up. So they can’t 
drown.” 

All right then, we won’t worry,” said the 


THE OLD CISTERN 227 

younger Westmore boy, and now he, too, com- 
menced to grin. 

“ Say, help us out, won’t you ? ” came pleadingly 
from Ike Boardman. “ I’m wet to the skin, and 
covered with mud.” 

What are you doing around here ? ” demanded 
Link, coming up to the edge of the cistern and 
peering down at the two unfortunates. 

That’s our business,” returned Si, with some- 
thing of his usual sourness. 

“ I guess it’s my business, as this is our place,” 
retorted the carpenter’s son. 

“ We were taking the short cut to the back road, 
that’s all,” grumbled the rich youth. “ Help us 
out of this mess, and be quick about it.” 

‘‘ We’ll not help you at all if you are going to 
talk that way,” replied Link. 

“ I don’t think you were just going to the back 
road — not this time of night,” remarked Harry. 

I think you came here to see if you couldn’t do 
something to our biplane.” 

‘^Nothing of the kind!” howled Si. ‘“Help us 
out and be quick about it. Link Darrow, or I’ll have 
the law on you for allowing such a dangerous place 
as this. I might have broken my neck ! ” 

“If you had it would have been your own fault, 
Si,” answered Link. “ This is private property, 


228 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


and you know it. Maybe my dad will make you 
pay for the boards you broke.” 

Oh, stop chinning and help us out, won’t you ? ” 
pleaded Ike. “ The smell down here is something 
fierce ! ” 

“ Our clothing is ruined,” went on Si. Who 
is going to pay for that ? ” 

“ Oh, never mind that now,” interrupted his 
crony. Let us get out first.” 

The cistern was rather deep, so that to climb out 
without aid was difficult if not impossible. Both 
boys stood in water and mud up to their armpits, 
and each had his face well covered with the con- 
tents of the cistern. 

‘'We might get the ladder,” suggested Harry. 

“ Hurry up, please ! ” pleaded Ike. 

“If we help you out, will you promise to keep 
away from our biplane in the future?” questioned 
Link. 

“Yes! yes!” 

“ How about you. Si ? ” 

“ I wasn’t going to touch your old flying ma- 
chine,” growled the rich bully. 

“ I don’t believe you, and you’ve got to promise 
to keep away from here, or we won’t help you 
out,” went on the carpenter’s son. 

“ Oh, go on and promise,” said Ike, in a low voice. 


THE OLD CISTERN 229 

“ Why, this place is enough to give a fellow typhoid 
fever, or something like that.” 

‘‘ All right, you help us out and we won’t come 
around here again,” grumbled Si, who, truth to tell, 
did not like being down in that vile-smelling place 
any more than did his crony. 

There was a short ladder in a shed close by and 
this Link and Harry procured, and after one end 
had been thrust down into the cistern, it was an 
easy matter for Si and Ike to crawl out. They came 
up dripping water and mud at every step they took. 

You just wait — we’ll get square for this!” 
grumbled Si, as he tried to wipe the mud from his 
eyes. 

“Now don’t you threaten us. Si Voup!” cried 
Link, doubling up his fists. “ Why, don’t you know 
we could have you locked up for prowling around 
here ? You clear out, and keep away in the future.” 

“ Come on. Si,” said Ike, and backed away. 
“ I’m going home and get washed up.” 

“ Just you listen to me. Si, before you go,” cried 
Harry. “ I am sure you came here to see if you 
couldn’t damage our flying machine. Now, if any- 
thing happens to the Skylark after this, remember 
that you are under suspicion, and I’ll tell the 
authorities, and your father, how we caught you 
and Ike here.” 


230 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ Bah ! ” muttered Si, and walked away, follow- 
ing his crony out of the Darrow yard. Both slunk 
away in the moonlight and Link and Harry watched 
them out of sight. 

What a pair ! ” murmured the younger West- 
more youth. 

“ And what a beautiful sight they are just now ! ’’ 
chuckled the carpenter’s son. “ I think I know two 
suits of clothing that will have to go to the cleaners.” 

They’ll have to explain matters to their folks. 
Wonder what_ they’ll say?” 

“ Oh, they’ll crawl out of it somehow — ^they al- 
ways do. But I don’t think' they’ll dare to blame 
us — they know we can report them for having been 
around the shop at this hour of the night.” And 
there the matter was dropped for the time being, 
and Harry went home. Joe was still awake and 
laughed heartily over the story his brother had to 
tell, and the next day T'red and the others had 
a good laugh, too. 

As for Si and Ike, that unworthy pair sneaked 
home by a back way and lost no time in getting their 
dirty clothes out of sight and in taking a bath. 
They felt so humiliated by their experience that for 
over a week they took good care to keep out of 
sight of the owners of the Skylark. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE FIRST AIRCRAFT RACE 

‘‘ Hurrah for the first race ! ’’ 

‘‘ ril wager the Skylark will win ! ” 

“ Not much ! The Swallow will come out ahead ! ” 
How far is the race to be ? ” 

“ Over the big red barn on the Phelps place and 
back/' 

“ That must be about twelve miles.” 

‘‘ All of that.” 

So the talk went on, one beautiful afternoon, 
about a week after the events recorded in the last 
chapter. Several of the boys of Brookside had 
mastered the art of aviation, and a race had been 
arranged between the Skylark and the Swallow, as 
the biplane owned by the Brookside lads had been 
named. George Dixon was to run the Brookside 
machine, and it had been decided by lot that Fred 
should manipulate the Lakeport aircraft. 

During the past week nothing more had been 
heard from Si Voup and Ike Boardman, nor had 
our friends learned anything further concerning the 
231 


232 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


disappearance of Andrew Akers. Mr. Rush and 
Mr. Westmore were investigating the doings of 
Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase, but had so far 
brought nothing new to light. 

The race of the biplanes was to start from a big 
field midway between Lakeport and Brookside, and 
quite a crowd had assembled to see the contest. 
In order to be sure that the Skylark was in good 
order for the run Fred himself flew the aircraft to 
the starting field, the other lads going on their 
bicycles. 

“How does she work?’' questioned Joe, when 
he arrived. 

“ Quite well,” was the stout youth’s reply. 
“ Somehow the motor seems to drag a little at 
times.” 

“ Let us look over the carburetter and the spark 
plugs,” suggested the older Westmore youth, and 
this was done, and then the engine appeared to 
run somewhat better. 

The Swallow was already on the ground, along 
with the boys who owned the biplane, and many 
others. Both flying machines were gone over with 
care. 

“ Fred, do you know the way? ” asked Link. 

“ I think I do,” was the answer. “ I’ve been 
over it several times on my wheel.” 


THE FIEST AIRCEAFT RACE 233 


“ Steer straight for Crossley’s windmill first,” 
said Bart, “ and then follow the railroad tracks as 
far as Jackson’s barn, and then look for Bacon’s 
mill. That will give you almost a straight course.” 

There had been something of a breeze, but about 
four o’clock in the afternoon this died down, and 
both of the contestants announced their readiness 
to start. 

Now, Fred, make as good a flight as you can,” 
said Joe. “ But don’t run any risks. Better to be 
beaten than have an accident.” 

Oh, I know that,” was the answer. 

The two biplanes had been brought up side by 
side in the big field. At a word from Mr. Corsen, 
who had agreed to umpire the race, the engines 
were started up. Both made such a noise that 
speech was impossible, and the rich man signaled to 
go by dropping a flag he carried. Then, with a 
whizz and a rattle like that of Gatling guns, the two 
biplanes rushed across the field and arose into the 
air. 

Hurrah, they’re off! ” 

‘‘ May the best flying machine win ! ” 

Wow ! talk about your races ! ” said Frank Pem- 
berton. This has got everything else beat a 
mile ! ” 

‘‘ By gum ! ain’t it great I ” added Ike Suttervane, 


234 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


a genuine country lad who lived in that vicinity and 
who had occasionally played on the Lakeport base- 
ball nine as a substitute. 

Tell yer wot, it takes our boys to do it,” burst 
out Teddy Dugan, an Irish lad, also well known 
to the boys. But Td not be goin’ up in such a big 
white thing, not me ! ” he added, with a grave shake 
of his head. 

The crowd continued to yell and cheer, while the 
chums of Fred and George watched the flight of 
the two flying machines with close attention. As 
the young aviators passed swiftly out of sight it 
was seen that Fred was slightly in the lead. 

We’ll win ! ” cried Harry, enthusiastically. 

“ Humph! this race isn’t over yet! ” answered a 
Brookside youth. 

On and on swept the two biplanes, each engine 
banging away as loudly as ever. It had been de- 
cided that while side by side Fred should keep to 
the left and George to the right. 

Now if I can only keep in the lead,” mused the 
stout youth, as he saw the Swallozv drop a little to 
the rear. Then he looked down on the ground, to 
make certain that he was.;^teering the right course. 

A sudden puff of wind-xaused Fred to watch his 
machine more closely and shift the rudder control 
slightly. Then he saw that the other biplane was 


THE FIRST AIRCRAFT RACE 235 

rising. It was this that had caused George to drop 
behind. Now the rival aircraft was in another 
wind level and soon it was forging to the front at 
an increased rate of speed. 

“ I guess it is better flying up there/' reasoned 
Fred, and he started to go up. The wind is not 
so strong and it blows in just the right direction.” 

Soon he was on the upper level and there sailing 
seemed better. But in going up he had lost some 
headway, and now he saw that the Swallow was in 
front and increasing the lead steadily. He tried to 
get more speed out of his motor, but soon found 
this impossible. 

On the upper level it was no easy task for either 
of the young aviators to follow the course given 
them. Fred made out the railroad tracks with 
ease, but was not sure of the Jackson barn. He saw 
a structure that he thought was it and swung aw^ay 
as directed by Bart. The two machines were now 
far apart and he noted that George was still follow- 
ing the tracks. 

Either he is wrong or I am,” he mused. Then 
he came back to the tracks, just as the other biplane 
left the vicinity of the railroad. The Swallow was 
now nearly half a mile ahead and running as steadily 
as ever. 

In a few seconds more the wind dropped away 


236 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


entirely and then Fred allowed the Skylark to go 
down about a hundred feet. He could now see the 
country below better, and soon discovered that he 
was at least a quarter of a mile out of his course. 

‘‘ But if I am out, so is George,” he told himself, 
as he made a shift to bring the biplane in. ‘‘ He’s 
gone as far to the north as I went to the south. I 
guess this race will go to the fellow who can keep 
the closer td the course.” 

A little later Fred saw Bacon’s mill and then 
from this was able to steer a straight course for 
the Phelps place — a well-known country seat of 
that locality. He was now ahead of the Swallow, 
much to his satisfaction. 

Maybe I’ll win after all,” he reasoned. ‘‘ Hope 
I do. But the Swallow is certainly a good ma- 
chine.” 

The Phelps family had been telephoned to re- 
garding the race, and a crowd had assembled to 
watch the two flying machines circle in the air over 
the barn. Not to take chances, Fred made a wide 
turn and George soon after followed. Those below 
waved flags, and the little Phelps boy beat loudly 
on his drum, — a noise that never reached the young 
aviators, because of the explosions from the aircraft 
engines. With the muffler of his engine cut out ” 
a birdman finds it impossible to hear any other sound 


THE FIRST AIRCRAFT RACE 237 


around him, and if he has a passenger and wishes 
to speak to him he must do so largely by signs, or 
by the use of one of several newly-invented speaking 
devices. Some of the newest of the flying-machine 
motors run with mufflers, but these are not, as yet, 
numerous. 

'' Now if I can only steer a straight course for 
the starting-point Fll be all right,'’ Fred told him- 
self, after leaving the Phelps place behind. But 
then of a sudden came a sweep of wind that caused 
him to change his course in a hurry. The wind 
was so heavy that he had all he could do to keep 
the Skylark on anything like an even keel. Then 
he ran into a soft spot,” and this bothered him 
some more. When at last he got himself “ straight- 
ened out,” as he termed it, he found that he was 
completely off his course and over a section of 
country that was strange to him. 

“ Now I certainly have done it,” he mused. “ I 
wonder where the Swallow is ? ” 

He peered around, and finally made out the other 
biplane well off to the westward. Not knowing 
what else to do, he turned in that direction. Then 
he saw that the other aircraft was turned towards 
him. 

Either he has made a mistake or I have,” he 
thought, and watched the rival flying machine with 


238 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


interest. Then he saw an old windmill, painted 
white and red, and that gave him some idea of 
where he was, and as the Swallow turned off over 
a country road leading to the railroad tracks, the 
Skylark did likewise. But another puff of wind 
came up, and each young aviator had to make an- 
other turn. Then each headed for the starting field 
as well as he was able, Fred coming in from the 
upper side and George from the lower. 

“ Here they come! ” 

“ Get out of the way there, or you’ll get hit ! ” 

‘‘ The Swallow is the first to land I ” 

‘‘No, the Skylark will strike the ground first!” 

These and many other cries welled up as the two 
biplanes drew closer. Then the crowd parted, one 
section rushing to the east of the field and the other 
to the west. 

“ Here they are ! ” 

“ Down they come ! 

“Which one hit the ground first?” 

“Neither. It’s a tie race!” 

“A tie? Well, now what do you think of 
that?” 

Both of the motors had been shut off, and like 
two big white birds the biplanes descended slowly 
towards the field. They landed exactly at the same 
time and came to a halt less than a hundred feet 


THE FIRST AIRCRAFT RACE 239 


apart. Fred was the first to leap to the ground, 
and George quickly followed. 

It is certainly a tie race,” declared Mr. Munroe 
Corsen. “ I shall have to congratulate you both.” 
And he took each young aviator by the hand. 

‘‘ I made a wrong turn,” said the youth from 
Brookside. “If it hadn’t been for that I might 
have won.” 

“ And I lost my way and made several wrong 
turns!” cried Fred. “But never mind; I’m satis- 
fied,” and he smiled at his rival. 

“ So am I satisfied,” answered George. “ But 
the two machines will have to race again some day.” 

“ To be sure! ” cried Joe. “ We’ll get the Bart- 
ley boys to take part, and get up a regular aviation 
meet.” 

“ That will suit me ! ” cried Andy Brown. “We 
can do all sorts of stunts — and put up prizes, too.” 

Despite the fact that the race had been declared 
a tie, everybody who had witnessed the affair was 
well pleased and all went home satisfied. Andy 
Brown sailed the Swallow back to Brookside, and 
Link took the Skylark to Lakeport. 

“ We must see about this aviation meet,” said 
Joe, when the boys met that evening, at the car- 
penter-shop hangar. “We want to run it off before 
it gets too, cold.” 


240 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


'' Right you are ! ” declared Bart. ‘‘ And as I 
don’t care much for flying myself, if you wish, you 
can appoint me manager of the meet, for the Lake- 
port Aero Club. You fellows can do the flying and 

ni ” 

“ Take in all the gate receipts,” put in the irre- 
pressible Matt, who had been invited to be present. 
“ Chain him fast, fellows, when he does it, so he 
can’t fly away.” And a laugh went up. 

“ All right, Bart, we’ll make you general man- 
ager ! ” cried Joe. How about it, fellows ? ” 

“ Aye ! ” came in a general chorus. 

'' We’ll make Bart general manager, Paul assist- 
ant manager, and Matt press agent,” put in Fred. 
“ Matt will make a dandy press agent — he can blow 
so easily.” And then there was another laugh. 

A lively talk followed, and a general plan for 
an aero meet was mapped out. Then a letter about 
the affair was written to George Dixon and his 
followers and a duplicate was penned for the Bart- 
ley brothers, of Haverford. All sorts of contests 
were mentioned, and the other boys were asked to 
send word what they thought of such a meeting. 
Then the gathering broke up and the two letters 
were posted. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


CAUGHT IN A THUNDERSTORM 

‘‘ Fred, what do you say if we take a flight to- 
gether this afternoon ? There is no wind and I 
guess we can have a good time.’' 

“ All right, Joe,” answered the stout youth. 
“ Where shall we fly to ? ” 

I was thinking it might be quite a stunt to fly 
to Pine Island and visit our old camping place.” 

“Say, that would be a scheme!” cried Fred, 
enthusiastically. “ But can we find a suitable place 
for landing?” 

“ I think so. Don’t you remember that big bare 
spot where we once shot a lynx? I think that will 
make a dandy landing place.” 

“ So it will. Yes, let us go by all means — we’ll 
have the whole afternoon to ourselves.” 

This talk took place two days after the letters 
about the aviation contests had been sent to Brook- 
side and to Haverford. So far no answers had 
been received. The day was an ideal one, and Joe 
and Fred found themselves alone, the other boys 
241 


242 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


having gone elsewhere, some for pleasure and 
others on errands for their' folks. 

Neither Joe nor Fred had been up to Pine Island 
for some time. The island was a large one, located 
near the head of the lake, and had been the scene 
of many hunting and camping-out affairs of the 
boys of Lakeport. It was there that the Gun Club 
of Lakeport had gone, in company with old Joel 
Runnell, and shot many wild animals and had had 
“ the time of their lives,” as Harry often expressed 
it. 

It was about eleven o’clock in the morning, and 
Joe and Fred devoted the hour before dinner to 
getting the Skylark ready for the trip. Then the 
oil box was filled up, also the gasoline tank, 
and Joe made a short trial trip, to test the 
biplane. 

‘‘ Where are you going, Joe? ” asked his mother, 
as she noticed him hurrying through his midday 
meal. 

Oh, Fred and I are going to take a trip up 
the lake,” he answered. 

‘‘ In the flying machine ? ” 

Yes.” 

Then be very careful,” went on Mrs. West- 
more, and heaved a little sigh. Although she was 
growing a little accustomed to these flights in the 


IN A THUNDEESTOKM 243 


air, still down in her heart she was sorry the lads 
had taken up aviation. 

Feels to me a little like a storm,” remarked Mr. 
Westmore. “ So you had better not get too far 
from home.” 

A storm. Dad ? ” queried the son. Why, the 
sky is as clear as a bell ! ” 

‘‘ I know, but it feels like rain, nevertheless,” 
went on the father. You be careful.” 

A little after one o’clock found Joe and Fred 
wheeling the Skylark out to the starting field. 
Some town boys were on hand and ready to give 
all the assistance necessary. 

It had been arranged that Joe should steer the 
biplane on the outward trip, as it was thought he 
might be able to make just the right landing on 
the island. Fred would be at the wheel coming 
back. 

The aircraft went up with scarcely an effort, 
the town boys cheering loudly, as was their custom. 
The young aviators were in the best of spirits and 
anticipated a grand outing. Both had now gotten 
over their timidity when in the air, and could 
thoroughly enjoy a flight. 

Joe made a circle over the town and then headed 
up the lake. He knew the way well, and as there 
was scarcely any wind, the steering of the biplane ' 


244 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


was easy. They went at a slow rate of speed and 
at a height of less than two hundred feet, and both 
sat back, to enjoy the panorama that was rolled 
out under them. They could see the sparkling 
waters of the lake, dotted here and there with sail- 
boats and other craft, and on either side the 
meadows and hills, with their tidy farms and 
stretches of woodland. Here and there was a 
rocky point, and Joe noted one in particular — on 
which he and some other lads had nearly been 
wrecked in the Shale sloop. 

The motor of the biplane was working well, and 
occasionally Joe amused himself by putting on a 
burst of speed, and by making big turns to the 
right and the left. But at these Fred shook his 
head and pointed ahead to the island, showing that 
he wanted to get there. Truth to tell, the stout lad 
was rather dubious concerning the landing they ex- 
pected to make. 

Presently they saw Pine Island looming up be- 
fore them, — 3 , perfect gem of green trees and bushes 
set in the midst of the blue waters of the lake. 
Joe slowed down the motor and allowed the biplane 
to move over the island slowly, and both the air- 
craft boys gazed down anxiously, trying to discover 
the cleared spot Joe had mentioned. 

At last they found the locality and sailed over it. 


IN A THUNDERSTORM 245 

It seemed to be as clear as ever, only some grass 
and a few low bushes showing. Joe nodded to his 
chum and Fred nodded in return, to show that he 
was satisfied. Then the Skylark was brought 
around in a wide half-circle, and Joe headed for 
the spot and shut off the motor. 

It was not an easy landing and they barely es- 
caped the branches of a tree at the edge of the clear- 
ing. They ran over several bushes, bumped over 
a few small stones, and came to a halt twenty feet 
from the opposite side of the clearing. 

‘‘Good for you, Joe!'' cried Fred, as he leaped 
to the ground. “ I guess no professional aviator 
could make a better landing than that." 

“ Wonder if anybody is on the island," said Joe, 
as he, too, jumped to the ground. 

“ Perhaps. It is getting to be quite a picnic 
place, so I have heard. A Bralham Sunday school 
came here on a picnic during August, and the 
Chowder Club of Brookside came here in 
July." 

The two youths looked over the airship, to see 
that everything was all right, and then started for 
a short stroll over the island. They visited one 
of the spots where they had once camped out, and 
Fred pointed out the place where he had gotten 
some small game. Then they stopped at a spring 


246 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


where the water was cold and clear, and got a 
drink. 

“ Hello! what^s that? ” exclaimed Joe, while they 
were resting near the spring. “ Hark ! 

Both listened and heard a faint sound stirring 
through the trees. Ordinarily they would not have 
paid any attention to this, but now it meant much 
to them. 

“ The wind is coming up I ” cried Fred. Say, 
I don’t like that!” 

‘‘ Neither do I,” answered Joe. Perhaps we 
had better get back, before it comes on a regular 
blow, Fred.” 

“ I think so myself. Come on! ” 

The young aviators leaped up and hurried to 
where the Skylark had been left. They had to 
walk quite a distance, and by the time they reached 
the clearing they were further alarmed to see the 
sun disappear behind a mass of heavy, black clouds 
to the westward. Then came the unmistakable 
rumble of thunder. 

“ My father was right — it is going to rain,” said 
Joe. Come, we haven’t a minute to spare — if 
we want to get to Lakeport before the storm 
breaks.” 

“Do you think we can make it, Joe?” asked 
his chum, anxiously. 


IN A THUNDERSTORM 247 


'' I don't know, but we can try — unless you want 
to stay here in the storm.” 

“No, I'd rather get home — and get the Skylark 
in the hangar. It might get damaged out here — 
if it blows real hard.” 

Without further words the aircraft boys made 
ready to leave the island. The biplane was run to 
the extreme end of the clearing and they beat down 
some bushes and removed some stones that lay in 
its path. Then they made a quick start, Fred at 
the wheel and Joe in the seat beside him. 

Getting up into the air was comparatively easy, 
and they hit nothing more damaging than the small 
upper limbs of a tall tree. But as soon as they 
were above the woods, the Skylark felt the force 
of the wind and careened wildly to the left. As 
quick as lightning Fred shifted the necessary con- 
trols and brought the biplane up to a level keel. 
Then he brought the craft around and started in 
the direction of Lakeport. 

By this time the sky was dark all around the air- 
craft and the rain had begun to fall. The wind 
was increasing and it came in fitful gusts that were 
extremely trying to the young aviators' nerves. 
Then came a streak of lightning that was all but 
dazing, and a sharp crack of thunder. 

Fred and Joe looked at each other and both 


248 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


shook their heads. Each wanted to speak, but, as 
mentioned before, talking with the motor in opera- 
tion was out of the question. Both realized that 
the storm was likely to prove too much for them, 
and that they had better try to make a landing as 
soon as possible. 

When Fred looked at his chum again Joe pointed 
to the mainland that was nearest to. the island, and 
the lad at the wheel nodded. Then came more 
thunder and lightning, followed by another rush 
of wind. The Skylark was tilted up on one side 
and for an instant it looked as if the flying machine 
would go over. But Fred kept his wits about him 
and brought the craft around once more. 

What to do next neither of the lads knew, and 
afterwards both said they fully expected to be 
thrown into the lake. To manage the biplane in 
those fierce gusts of wind was next to impossible. 
The aircraft drifted hither and thither, Fred hav- 
ing all he could do to keep the biplane from going 
over. 

The boys had been up but a few minutes — al- 
though to them it seemed an age— when there came 
a brief lull in the wind, and a lightening of the 
sky directly overhead. But both could see that 
the storm was by no means at an end. 

Both looked down and saw below them the very 


IN A THUNDERSTOEM 249 


island they had left. Just ahead was the cleared 
spot. Quickly Joe motioned to it, and nodded his 
head, as if to advise his chum to descend. Fred 
was willing, and shaping their course as well as 
he was able, the stout youth shut off the power, 
and down they came with a rush. 

They struck some bushes and bumped along over 
the uneven ground. Both were well shaken up, 
but no damage was done to either the boys or the 
flying machine. Then they dragged the Skylark 
under the tallest of the trees and there staked it 
fast, so that it might not be blown around by the 
wind and wrecked. 

By this time the sky had darkened once more 
and the rain was coming down in a deluge. Occa- 
sionally would come a flash of lightning, followed 
by a peal of thunder that would roll over the lake 
and among the hills beyond. 

“ Say, I’m mighty glad we didn’t try to get 
home,” remarked Joe, as both boys crouched down 
under the planes of the machine, to keep out of the 
rain. 

“ We couldn’t have done it, Joe,” was the reply. 
'' Why, I had all I could do to keep her from going 
over! Excuse me from trying to sail in such a 
wind!” And Fred shook his head seriously. 

Yes, we were lucky to get back here, Fred. I 


250 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


thought first we could make the shore — to tell our 
folks by telephone that we were safe. But never 
mind, we can stay here until it clears off.” 

Maybe it will rain and blow all night.” 

** I don’t think so.” 

After that the boys said but little. The wild 
flight in the air, even though of short duration, 
had exhausted them, and they were content to rest 
and let the elements take care of themselves. Both 
were pleased to note that the lightning and thunder 
were growing more distant, showing that the 
storm was moving away. 

By five o’clock the rain was at an end and much 
of the wind had gone down. The boys crawled 
out from under their shelter and gazed earnestly 
at the sky. 

“ I think it will be all right in a little while,” 
cried Joe. '' See, the sun is beginning to shine 
again ! ” 

Let us wait a while and see,” returned Fred. 
He had no desire to repeat his thrilling experience 
in the air. 

The boys drew the biplane from under the big 
tree and looked it over once more. They were just 
finishing this work when they heard a shout from 
the edge of the woods, and the next moment saw 
Joel Runnell approaching them. 


IN A THUNDERSTORM 251 


** Hello, you here ? ’’ cried the old hunter. “ I 
thought I heard something like an airship or a 
motor boat around.’' 

“ What are you doing here ? ” asked Joe. 
‘‘ Fishing?” 

“ Not to-day, Joe,” was the answer. “ I came 
on rather a funny errand. I heard that a strange 
man had been seen on this island, and I came over 
to see if it might be Mr. Akers.” 


CHAPTER XXV 


PLANS FOR AN AERO MEET 

Who told you about the strange man? ” asked 
Joe, quickly. 

Bill Hickson, my milkman. Bill saw Mr. 
Akers at the cottage several times, an' when Bill 
came over here he said he saw a man wanderin’ 
around in the woods as looked like Akers. So I 
came over to look into the matter,” went on Joel 
Runnell. “ But I didn’t calkerlate to drop into no 
sech thunderstorm as we had,” he added, with a 
grin. 

“ And have you discovered anything of . Mr. 
Akers yet?” questioned Fred. 

“ Not a thing. But I ain’t had much o’ a chanct 
to look, on account o’ the storm. I’m going to 
tramp around the island now.” 

“ I wish we could go with you,” said Joe. “ But 
we had better get home, now the storm has cleared 
away. Our folks will be worrying about us.” 

“ Yes, that’s true. Tell you what I’ll do, boys. 

252 


PLANS FOR AN AERO MEET 253 


If I learn anything about Mr. Akers I’ll send you 
word,” said the old hunter. 

I wish you would! ” cried Joe. We are very 
much interested in that case. I wish we could find 
him, and find his missing papers and stocks 
too.” 

‘‘ It sure is a curious affair,’^ and Joel Runnell 
shook his head slowly. I think them men. Mason 
an’ Chase, had somethin’ to do with it. But 
thinkin’ ain’t provin’, so it won’t do no good to 
say anything.” 

A little more talk followed, and then the boys 
prepared to fly away in their biplane. As Fred had 
had such a strenuous time fighting the storm, he 
was perfectly willing to let Joe take the wheel. 
Joel Runnell assisted them in getting away, and 
waved his cap after them when they were above 
the trees. 

The storm had now died away completely, and 
the setting sun shone brightly over the surface of 
the lake. There was still a little wind, but it came 
steadily instead of in gusts and was in the right 
direction, so that it caused the aircraft boys little 
trouble. Joe steered a straight course for Lake- 
port, and they made fairly good time on the return 
and came down in the usual spot without trouble. 

Their aircraft had been seen from afar, for 


254 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


many were watching for them, fearing they had 
been wrecked in the thunderstorm. As they came 
down a crowd rushed forward to greet them, in- 
cluding Mr. and Mrs. Westmore and Mr. and Mrs. 
Rush. 

“ Are you safe, Joe? 

* “ Were you up when it blew so, Fred? ” 

‘‘Oh, what an awful storm that was!”* 

“ Why, the flying machine doesn’t seem to be 
damaged in the least ! ” 

Such were some of the remarks made and ques- 
tions asked. The two lads soon proved to the 
satisfaction of everybody that they were uninjured 
and then related their story. As Fred told of 
how. he had struggled to land in the storm his 
mother and Mrs. Westmore shuddered. 

“ Oh, you must never go up in such a storm 
again, Fred!” cried his mother. “Promise me!” 

“ Not if I can help it,” he answered, quickly. 
“ Once is enough ! ” 

“ That’s right,” added Joe. “ After this I want 
to do my flying in fair weather only.” 

“ It’s a great wonder the Skylark wasn’t 
wrecked,” was Link’s comment. 

“ We were out in the sloop,” said Paul, “ Bart 
and Frank and I, and we had all we could do to 
keep her headed to the wind and off the rocks. We 


PLANS FOE AN AERO MEET 255 


thought of you, and once Bart imagined he saw 
the biplane, but he must have been mistaken.” 

As soon as the boys could get the flying machine 
to a place of safety they told their chums and 
their folks of what Joel Runnell had said about 
the strange man seen on Pine Island. 

‘‘ Do you think it really was Mr. Akers? ” ques- 
tioned Harry, with interest. 

There is no telling,” replied his brother. ‘‘If 
it was, and he is found, Runnell will let us 
know.” 

Several days passed and at last came word that 
the old hunter had been unable to trace the strange 
individual, whoever he might have been. That he 
had left Pine Island, Joel Runnell was certain. 
He had found several traces of camping parties, 
but that was all. 

For the time being the aircraft boys of Lake- 
port were so interested in the proposition of holding 
an aero meet that the mysterious disappearance of 
Andrew Akers was well-nigh forgotten. The lads 
received a letter from the boys of Brookside who 
owned the Swallow, stating that they would be 
pleased to enter the contests. Then came another 
letter, from the Bartley boys, of Haverford, which 
our friends perused with much interest. In part 
this communication ran as follows: 


256 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ As you have a biplane and as that is the kind 
of a flying machine the fellows of Brookside have, 
too, it seems to us that races against our monoplane 
would not be exactly fair. We might go into some 
of the contests together, but we would suggest that 
you invite Mr. Samuel Barnes, of Bralham, to join 
in the meet. He has a monoplane similar to ours, 
and is a young man you will like to meet. He 
used to back up the Bralham football club, so you 
probably know him. All four flying machines 
might go into some af the contests, and for long 
distance flights we could have two runs — one for 
the monoplanes and one for the biplanes.’' 

“ That’s the talk ! cried Fred. ‘‘ I know Sam 
Barnes, but I did not know he had a flying machine. 
Let’s invite him by all means.” 

“ Say, if we keep on we’ll be getting up a regular 
aero meet,” came from Link. “ We’d better fence 
in the field and charge an admission fee.” 

“ I’ve got an idea,” said Joe. “ If we can really 
make it worth while, we could wire off a big part 
of the field and charge, say twenty-five cents, or 
fifty cents, admission and then use part of the 
money for paying for prizes and divide the rest 
among the charitable societies of Lakeport, Brook- 
side, Haverford, and Bralham. By advertising 


PLANS FOR AN AERO MEET 257 

that part of the money was to go to charity we 
might draw a big crowd, and do a lot of good, 
besides having a grand meet.” 

This idea took like wildfire, and that very night 
a number of letters were written, one inviting the 
young man from Bralham to participate in the 
proposed aero meet and the others outlining the 
scheme for paid admissions, with prizes for various 
contests, and with a certain percentage of the re- 
ceipts for charity^ 

The suggestion to give something to charity 
caught the favor of the ladies, who for years had 
been struggling with the question of what to do 
for certain poor and worthy folks of their localities. 
The boys agreed to give sixty per cent, of the 
money taken in to the cause — fifteen per cent, to 
each of the four towns to be represented — for Sam 
Barnes, of Bralham, came over to Lakeport in his 
monoplane, to say that he would accept the invita- 
tion to participate. The other forty per cent, was 
to be used to pay necessary expenses and in the 
purchase of suitable prizes. 

‘‘ Now the question is. Where are we to hold 
the meet ? ” said George Dixon, at a meeting 
held by invitation in Brookside, a few days 
later. 

Well, I don’t know,” answered Joe. Of 


258 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


course we’d like to make it Lakeport, but I suppose 
you’d say Brookside and you other fellows would 
say Haverford and Bralham.” 

“ We have no very good field in Haverford/’ 
answered Bill Bartley. “ Almost every place is 
too stony and uneven. I have only one fairly good 
landing spot for my monoplane.” 

“ We can u^e our old football field,” said the 
Bralham aviator. “ But for an aero meet I am 
afraid it will prove rather small.” 

“ Well, we have room enough at Brookside,” 
answered Andy Brown. “ But as the Lakeport 
fellows issued this invitation I rather think it ought 
to be their privilege to name the field.” 

At that moment came a knock on the door of 
the clubroom where the meeting was being held, 
and Fred, who was nearest, opened the portal. 
There stood James Slosson, with a letter in his 
hand. 

This is from Mr. Corsen,” said the aviator and 
chauffeur. He heard that you were going to 
hold this meeting and he wanted to make you 
an offer.” 

The letter was addressed to Joe, but it proved 
to be for the benefit of all present and ran as 
follows : 


PLANS FOR AN AERO MEET 259 


I understand that you are to hold an aero meet 
and donate part of the entrance money to charity. 
Mrs. Corsen and my daughter Violet are much 
interested, and so am I, and if you have not yet 
selected a place for the exhibition I hereby offer 
you the free use of the big fields in the back of 
my estate, with the free use of two of the barns 
for hangars. As you know, the fields are well 
fenced, and I have the lumber on hand for a new 
barn, and I will have my carpenter, Mr. Darrow, 
put up a small grandstand for you free of expense.’* 

Hurrah for Mr. Corsen ! ” cried Harry, en- 
thusiastically. 

This is the best yet ! ” cried Fred. 

It is certainly a very generous offer,” said 
George Dixon. Having the meet on the Cor- 
sen estate ought to draw quite a fashionable 
crowd.” 

Especially if Mrs. Corsen and some of her rich 
friends will play patronesses for us,” said Bart. 

“And ril get my dad to put up just the dandy 
grandstand ! ” cried Link. “ And he can put up 
pylons, and all the other things, too.” 

The matter was talked over and all present were 
in favor of accepting the rich gentleman’s offer, and 
a letter was written to that effect and given to 


260 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


James Slosson. The date of the meet was placed 
on a Saturday nine days later, in the after- 
noon. 

“ Now, with such a place to meet, we ought to 
advertise this affair,” said Sam Barnes. “ Folks 
won’t come unless they know about it.” 

“ Fve got an advertising scheme that I think will 
produce good results,” said Bart. “ Of course we 
can hang up bills in each town, at the post-offices 
and stores, but my plan is to get small and cheap 
handbills printed in big quantities. Then each of 
us can go up, day after day, and fly all around 
the country hereabouts, dropping the handbills 
wherever we go. We can put a line on each bill, 
' This Handbill Delivered by Aeroplane.’ That 
will cause folks to keep the handbill and talk about 
it, and I am sure lots of them will drive in to the 
meet.” 

This proposition met with instant approval from 
all sides, and as there was a big printing establish- 
ment at Haverford it was left to the Bartley boys 
to find out how cheaply the handbills could be ob- 
tained and also some good-sized posters. Half an 
hour was spent in writing the advertisements. 

“ Well, that surely will be a real aero meet, if 
everything goes through as planned,” said Harry 
to his brother, when they were on the way home. 


PLANS FOE AN AEEO MEET 261 


“ It was fine of Mr. Corsen to let us use his 
fields,” answered Joe. 

‘‘ Yes, and fine for Mrs. Corsen and Violet to 
take an interest,” added Harry. “ Wonder what 
Si Voup and Ike Boardman will say to this when 
they hear of it ? I’ll wager they will be more sour 
than ever, Joe.” 

“ Don’t notice them if they are, Harry. With 
all our good fortune we can afford to drop all 
thoughts of those two chaps.” 

Oh, I am willing to let them alone if only they 
will let us alone. But it isn’t in ’em to let this 
go by unnoticed. As sure as fate Si and Ike will 
try to do something to spoil the affair, — or at least 
our part in it.” 

Well, we’ll have to keep our eyes open. But I 
don’t think they’ll go down to Harrow’s barn again 
— not as long> as the old cistern is there.” And 
Joe laughed over the recollection of what had oc- 
curred. 

“ What do you think about the contests — can 
we win?” asked Fred, who was with the brothers. 

“Oh, we’ve got to win, Fred! Of course, I 
don’t expect we’ll win everything. But I hope we 
win the most of the poiifts.” 

“ Yes, and especially the long-distance flight,” 
added Harry. 


CHAPTER XXVI 


HARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 

‘‘ Now for some grand, up-to-date advertising! 

Right you are, Joe, and won’t the country folks 
and town folks, too, be surprised when they see 
these handbills dropping from the sky ? ” 

“ I hope we don’t scare any horses.” 

“ Oh, horses don’t scare so easily as they did — 
now that they have to put up with autos and such 
things.” 

The posters and handbills had been printed — a 
hundred of the former and many thousands of the 
latter — and evenly divided among the four towns 
to be represented at the aero meet. Now the boys 
were getting ready to distribute the advertising 
matter to the best advantage. 

The aircraft boys of Lakeport had divided the 
handbills into five bundles and the posters into two 
bundles. Bart did not enjoy flying, so to him had 
been delegated the task of hanging up the pos- 
ters in Lakeport and distributing some handbills 
about the place. Then lots were cast by the other 
263 


HARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 263 

four boys, and to Harry fell the task of taking 
the other bundle of posters and some handbills and 
visiting several neighboring towns on his bicycle, 
leaving the advertising at the post-offices and stores. 
All the other handbills were to be taken up in 
the biplane by Joe, Fred, and Link, working two 
at a time. While one youth sailed the Skylark 
the other was to scatter the bills so that folks might 
catch and read them. 

“ Sorry you aren’t to go up with us, Harry,” said 
Fred, after matters had been arranged. 

Oh, ril get some fun out of it, wheeling to 
places with the posters and handbills,” answered 
the younger Westmore lad. “ And I’ll do some 
flying when the contests come off-— don’t forget 
that.” 

‘‘ Sure — and you must win, too,” answered the 
stout youth. “ That is what I am going to try to 
do.” 

The first to go up in the biplane were Joe and 
Link, and as they set off with the handbills the 
others let up a cheer. Just for fun Link dropped 
several handbills, and one fell right into the hands 
of Laura Westmore, and she took it and waved 
it gayly at those sailing away. 

‘‘ Well, here is where I do my share of the 
work,” announced Harry, when the biplane was 


264 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


out of sight, and strapping his pack of posters and 
handbills on his back, he hopped on his bicycle and 
started for Camdale and other towns in that vicinity. 

The first-named place was quickly reached, and 
he had little trouble in getting permission to hang 
posters in the post-office and in a hotel and in the 
main stores. Occasionally some man would ask if 
he wasn’t going to give an admission ticket for the 
privilege, but when Harry explained that the aero 
meet was largely for charity, no more would be 
said about a free entrance to the grounds. 

By noon the younger Westmore boy had visited 
three towns, and distributed nearly half of his 
posters and handbills. He was rather tired, and 
glad enough to sit down by the roadside and eat 
the generous lunch his mother had packed up for 
him, washing it down with some milk purchased 
at a farmhouse. 

While he was seated there he saw a farm wagon 
approaching at a slow gait. It was drawn by a 
pair of big horses, and on the seat, with a battered 
felt hat on his head, sat a youth whose face was a 
mass of freckles. 

“ Hello, Teddy Dugan ! ” cried Hariy, as the 
turnout drew closer. 

“Sure an’ if it ain’t Harry Westmore!” cried 
the Irish lad who had camped out on Pine Island 


HAEEY LEAENS SOMETHING 265 

with the other boys and who had also acted as a 
substitute on the baseball club. What be ye doin’ 
here, Harry ? ” 

I’m distributing posters and circulars of our 
aero meet,” was the reply. ‘‘ That is, I have been. 
Just now I’m resting and having lunch. Have a 
cookie?” and Harry held one out. 

I don’t want to rob you,” answered the Irish 
lad, gazing wistfully at the golden-colored cake. 

“ Oh, I’ve got more, Teddy. Here, take it, and 
here is some milk too, if you want it.” 

Teddy was glad enough to rest, being on a long 
journey from his home to Camdale. He drew up 
at the roadside, and soon he was beside Harry and 
enjoying the cookie. 

“ It’s great doin’s you b’ys is up to,” he re- 
marked. First the gun club, thin the baseball 
club, nixt the boat club, an’ afther that the football 
club an’ the automobile tour, an’ now a flyin’ 
machine! Say, phwat will yez be at nixt?” 

I don’t know, Teddy. School, most likely. 
It opens in a couple of weeks.” 

Yis, I know that, fer I’m to go meself. Say, 
how do you like flyin’ ? ” 

It’s great, Teddy. You must come to our aero 
meet.” And Harry held out one of the handbills. 

'' Sure, an’ I’ll be there, Harry. An’ oh, say I 


266 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


IVc got somethin’ to tell ye ! ” burst out the Irish 
lad. 

^^To tell me?” 

Yis. I was goin' to sthop at Lakeport an’ let 
ye know, but it clane slipped me mind — I had so 
much to buy at Camdale fer me father. It’s about 
that man as give ye the flyin’ machine, Mr. Andrew 
Akers. Me father saw him.” 

‘‘ Saw him ? Where ? ” And now Harry was 
all attention. 

Over along the river, near Shag’s Island. Me 
father was over to a farm there, to buy a horse, 
an’ he said he saw this Mr. Akers an’ another man 
at the river bank, gittin’ into a boat.” 

“When was this?” 

“ Yisterday afternoon.” 

“ I didn’t know your father knew Mr. Akers ? ” 

“ But he does, Harry. Sure an’ didn’t he hilp 
the old gentleman git his flyin’ machine out o’ a 
tree onct? That’s how he got to know him.” 

“ Who was the man with Mr. Akers ? ” 

“ He was a stranger, but me father thinks he 
saw the feller several times in Brookside.” 

“ Then it must have been Mr. Mason or Mr. 
Chase ! ” murmured the younger Westmore youth. 
“ I am glad to know this, Teddy. I’ll have it 
looked into at once ! ” 


HARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 267 


‘‘If yez want to find Mr. Akers I hope yez are 
able to do it,” answered the Irish lad; and then, 
having finished his cookie, and taken a swallow 
of the cool milk, he drove on. 

A little while later Harry continued his journey 
to the next village, to leave his posters and hand- 
bills. As he wheeled along his thoughts were busy. 

“ If that was Mr. Akers, and Mr. Mason or Mr. 
Chase was with him, where were they going?” 
was the question he asked himself over and over 
again. 

He had once visited Shag’s Island, a lonely and 
rocky place, located in the center of a broad, shallow 
stream flowing into the lake. It was situated about 
a mile from where was located the deserted hut he 
and the others had visited, when looking for An- 
drew Akers before. 

“ Those men must have taken Mr. Akers some- 
where,” reasoned the younger Westmore lad. 
“ Maybe they took him to Shag’s Island after they 
had him at the hut.” 

Harry hurried as much as he could, and by dark 
he had all of his posters and handbills distributed. 
Then he pedaled for home, anxious to tell his 
brother about what he had heard. 

“ I won’t tell dad or the others,” he reasoned. 
“ I’ll just tell Joe, and we can investigate this be- 


268 THE AIRCKAFT BOYS 


tween us. No use of getting all the others excited 
until we are sure we are really on the right trail.” 

But when he reached home Harry was confronted 
by a disappointment. Joe had telephoned in from 
a distant village that he was going to remain at 
that place with Link all night and work back to- 
wards Lakeport in the morning. 

“ Oh, most likely he won’t be home till dark,” 
murmured Harry to himself. Guess I’ll have to 
tell Fred or Bart.” 

But in the end he told nobody and resolved to 
investigate by himself. He knew he could run 
over to the river on his wheel in less than an hour, 
and another hour would suffice to row over to 
Shag’s Island and back, provided he could get a 
boat. 

And if I can’t get a boat I can wade or swim 
over,” he told himself. “ It’s rather cold, but I 
guess I can manage it.” 

He started off the next morning, directly after 
breakfast. He had a few handbills left, so his folks 
did not question him, thinking he meant to dis- 
tribute these. He had his lunch with him again, 
so would be able to spend the whole day in the 
search. 

It was a clear day, with little or no wind — which 
was a good thing for those distributing the hand- 


HAERY LEAENS SOMETHING 269 


bills from the aeroplanes. Harry knew the road 
well, and soon passed through the lower end of 
Lakeport and over the bridge on the sawmill turn- 
pike. Then he pedaled past several farms and 
through a woods, coming out presently on the 
highway bordering the river on which Shag’s Island 
was located. 

As I have said before, the river was broad but 
shallow, and in many spots rocks and sandbars 
showed themselves. Here and there were small 
islands, overgrown with bushes and stunted pines. 
In many places the stream was less than a foot 
deep. 

‘‘ The water seems to be pretty low,” thought 
the youth. More than likely I can find some place 
where I can wade to Shag’s Island. I’d rather do 
that than look around for a boat.” 

As Harry passed around a curve of the road 
and river, he looked out in the stream and uttered 
an exclamation of surprise. Then he slackened his 
speed, came to a halt, and jumped ofiF his bicycle. 

He had come to a stop at a place where the 
sandbars of the river were thick. Out among them 
lay a motor boat, the bow of the craft buried deeply 
in the sand. The motor was not running and the 
boat was apparently deserted. 

‘‘ Unless I miss my guess it is Si Voup’s craft,” 


270 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


muttered Harry. But if it is, what is it doing 
in such an out-of-the-way place? Si must know 
it’s not deep enough here for such a boat as 
that.” 

Curious to know how the motor boat had gotten 
in its present position, and why it was abandoned, 
Harry leaned his wheel against a tree and walked 
out on the rocks lining the shore. By leaping from 
one rock to another he was able to get within a 
rod or so of the stranded craft without wetting 
his feet. 

‘‘ Yes, it’s Si’s boat right enough,” he murmured 
to himself. “ She must have been here since yes- 
terday, or longer.” 

He was wondering if he could get over to the 
craft by wading, and had just sat down on a flat 
rock to take off his shoes and socks and try it, 
when there came a rude hail from the road. 

Hi, you ! What are you doing there ? ” 

Harry gazed around and saw Si Voup standing 
near. He had arrived on a bicycle, accompanied 
by Ike Boardman, and each carried a rope and a 
shovel. 

“ Is this your boat. Si ? ” asked Harry, not know- 
ing what else to say. 

‘‘ You know well enough it’s my boat ! ” answered 
the rich bully. “ Have you been on board ? Did 


HARRY LEARNS SOMETHING 271 

you dare to touch the engine?’' went on Si, in 
alarm. 

No, I haven’t been any nearer than I am now. 
I just got here.” 

Well, you clear out and let my boat alone.” 

“ How did it get here ? ” asked Harry, and now 
he tied his shoelaces again, and stood up on the 
flat rock. 

That’s my business, Harry Westmore. You 
just go on your way and let my boat alone.” 

“ All right. Si — just as you say,” answered the 
younger Westmore boy coldly, and prepared to leap 
from rock to rock to the shore again. 

As he did this Si and Ike came down from the 
roadway and stood on the rocks near the shore. 
Each looked at the other and most likely the same 
thought occurred to both. 

“Shall we shove him in, Ike?” whispered the 
bully. 

“ Yes, if we get the chance,” returned his crony. 

Both leaped to the next rock, further out in the 
stream. As they did this, Harry also essayed to 
gain that footing. Just as he sprang forward. Si 
and Ike placed themselves at the edge of the rock 
and put out their elbows. 

“ Look out ! ” cried Harry, “ or you’ll shove me 
overboard ! ” Then, as he saw that the others 


272 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


meant him to lose his balance, he clutched at the 
leg of each. Down went Si and Ike, and the next 
instant all three lads were floundering in the cold 
water of the river. 


CHAPTER XXVII 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 

“ Let go of me ! ’’ 

‘‘ Do you want me to be drowned ? 

“ Brrr ! how cold this water is ! ’’ 

Such were some of the cries that arose as Si and 
Ike came down in the water, almost on top of 
Harry. For a full minute there was a grand scram- 
bling all around, and then the younger Westmore 
youth crawled out on one rock. Si on another, and 
Ike on a third. All stood up and glared angrily 
at each other. 

“ What do you mean by pulling me into the 
water ? bawled Si, shaking his fist at Harry. 

‘‘ And pulling me down, too ? added Ike. 

‘‘ I’d like to know what you meant by shoving 
me down in the first place,” blazed back Harry. 

“We didn’t!” came from the pair. 

“ You did.” 

“You had plenty of room,” grumbled Si. He 
gave a shiver. “ I’ll catch my death of cold from 
this.” 


273 


274 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ So will I,” added his toady. 

‘‘If you do, maybe it will serve you right,” an- 
swered Harry. “ It was a mean trick, and both of 
you know it. You didn’t get any more than you 
deserved.” 

“ Bah ! you make me tired, Harry Westmore ! ” 
growled Si. “ Just you wait — I’ll fix you for this, 
see if I don’t ! ” 

“ And I’ll get square too,” came from the shiver- 
ing Ike. “ I’m wet to the skin! ” 

“ Both of you are no more wet than I am,” 
answered Harry. “ And it is your fault, not mine.” 
And so speaking he leaped for the nearest sandbar 
and waded ashore and up to where he had left his 
bicycle. Close at hand were the two bicycles Si 
and Ike had used in coming to the spot. 

“ Hi ! you leave our wheels alone ! ” shouted the 
rich bully, as he saw Harry start towards them. 

But Harry paid no attention to .the words. He 
was angry through and through and in a mood to 
do almost anything. At first he thought to fling 
the bicycles into the river, where his enemies might 
go fishing for them, but then another thought came 
to him — a thought that almost made him grin. 

On the opposite side of the roadway to that 
lining the stream was a row of thorn trees, low 
and thick. Seizing one of the bicycles, Harry gave 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 275 


it a swing and sent it up into the branches of one 
of the trees. Then he caught up the second wheel 
and sent that up into the branches of another thorn 
tree. 

Now you can climb for your wheels when you 
want them ! ” he sang out, as he leaped on his own 
bicycle and started to pedal away. 

Come back here ! Get those bicycles down ! ” 
roared Si, as he made for the roadway. 

“ Great Caesar, look at that ! ” groaned Ike. 
‘‘ They are both right in the middle of those thorny 
trees! How are we to get them out? - We’ll be 
scratched to pieces I ” 

He was bound to get square, I suppose,” mut- 
tered the rich bully. ‘‘ Hang the luck anyway ! 
Here we are wet to the skin, the wheels in those 
stickery trees, and the motor boat stuck in 
the sand. Say, Ike, what are we to do any- 
way ? ” 

'' I know what I am going to do first! Try to 
get myself dry ! My, but it is cold ! ” 

Don’t say a word ! I’m shivering so I can 
scarcely walk! I — er — I wish we hadn’t shoved 
him in, now.” 

Same here. But I didn’t think he’d catch us 
by the legs.” And thus speaking the unworthy pair 
waded ashore and then proceeded to look for some 


276 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


spot sheltered from observation, where they 
might dry themselves in the sun and try to get 
warm. 

In the meantime, Harry lost no time in wheeling 
up the river road until he was well out of sight 
and hearing. Then he, too, sought a sunny spot, 
and there proceeded to dry himself and his clothing 
as best he could. Fortunately on the back of the 
bicycle he carried a sweater, and this he put on next 
to the skin, which did a great deal towards warm- 
ing him up. But he was not as comfortable as he 
might have been, and his feelings toward Si and 
Ike remained anything but pleasant. 

‘‘ Well, one satisfaction, they are as wet as I 
am ! he murmured. 

It took him the best part of an hour to get even 
partly dry, and then he went on along the river 
road, making numerous turns, until he at last came 
to a spot opposite Shag’s Island. Here the stream 
was very broad and both shores were lined with 
trees and bushes. Shag’s Island lay out in the 
middle of the watercourse, with several smaller 
islands scattered above and below. 

Not to be noticed should the men for whom he 
was seeking be at hand, Harry secreted his bicycle 
in the bushes and crept down between the greenery 
to the water’s edge. He looked out on the river 


A STEANGE DISCOVERY 277 


and towards the island. Not a soul was in sight 
and apparently the locality was deserted. 

At this point the sandbars and rocks were even 
more numerous than where the motor boat lay 
stranded, and the Westmore youth saw that by 
taking off his shoes and socks, and rolling up his 
trousers, he could easily wade to the island. 

“ ril do that,” he told himself. ‘‘ I don't think 
they’ll see me^ — if they are around.” 

Soon he was out on the rocks, his shoes over 
his shoulder. As he did not wish to slip and hurt 
himself, he advanced with caution, leaping from 
rock to rock where he could and otherwise wading 
along the sandbars. Once he went down in a small 
hole and got something of a splash, but this he did 
not mind. Then came a long, smooth sandbar, 
leading directly to the end of the island, and along 
this he walked with ease, and soon found himself 
ashore. 

As he put on his socks and shoes again he listened 
intently, but the only sounds that broke the stillness 
were the chirping of the birds and the croaking of 
some frogs in a swamp. 

I guess ril go along the shore and look for 
boat-prints and footprints,” he told himself. ‘‘ If 
they landed in a boat I ought to locate the place 
with ease.” 


278 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


Shag’s Island was nearly a quarter of a mile 
long and not quite half that in width. At either 
end was a rocky hill, with a flat, marshy place in 
the middle of the island. In the marsh grew 
huckleberry bushes of large size, and during the 
season the boys of Lakeport had often come there 
to fill their pails with the fruit. 

Harry had passed down the shore almost to the 
marsh when he saw some marks in the sand between 
the rocks. A boat had been beached there, not 
once but several times, and many footprints were 
to be seen. 

“ Now to follow those marks,” thought the West- 
more boy, and turned inland. 

The footmarks led to the west of the marsh, and 
past a clump of low-growing bushes. Here there 
was something of a trail, and the same marks were 
to be seen in the soil. 

It must be confessed that Harry’s heart beat 
loudly as he advanced along this trail. The spot 
seemed to be particularly lonely, and just then 
scarcely a sound broke the stillness. Once he 
imagined he heard voices and stopped to listen. 

“ I must have been mistaken,” he told himself. 
“ Pshaw ! I guess I’m getting nervous. I’m going 
ahead and see if I can find out anything. Perhaps 
I’m only on a wild-goose chase after all.” 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 279 


Then he realized that he was unarmed, and he 
paused beside another clump of bushes, to cut him- 
self a heavy stick. With this in hand he felt more 
confident, and on he went once more, around a 
bend of the trail. 

He was now satisfied that he could hear voices 
and that they came from ahead of him. He slack- 
ened his pace and strained his ears, and soon 
located the sounds. They came from an old hut 
located beside the trail, a hut once used by an old 
hermit named Shag, after whom the island had 
been named. 

As soon as Harry came in sight of the hut he 
resolved to change his course. He stepped from 
the trail and made a detour, coming up through 
the brushwood to a point close to one side of the 
old structure. Here there was a window about 
two feet square, with a sliding wooden shutter, and, 
as the shutter was open, the boy could look into 
the hut with ease and also hear what was being 
said. 

Two men were talking, and Harry recognized 
the voices of Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase, 
he having seen those individuals several times since 
the disappearance of Andrew Akers. The men 
were talking over business matters in general, — a 
conversation that did not interest the youth. 


280 THE AIKCRAFT BOYS 

“ I wonder if Mr. Akers can be around ? ” thought 
the boy. He must be, or otherwise what would 
those two men be doing in such an out-of-the-way 
spot as this ? 

Watching his chance, he peered into the window 
of the hut and saw that the two men were seated 
on rude benches smoking. He also noted that a 
rough board partition divided the hut into two 
parts. 

“ Maybe Mr. Akers is in the other room,” 
reasoned Harry. ‘‘If it has a window I’ll soon 
find out.” 

Cautiously^ he stepped back from the position he 
occupied and worked his way to the other end of 
the hut. Here was another window, but the shut- 
ter to this was tightly closed. 

Harry listened, but if anybody was in the apart- 
ment behind the closed shutter, he made no sound. 
Then the youth heard Thomas Mason exclaim : 

“ Well, Fm going. You stay here till I get 
back.” 

“You’ll return before four o’clock?” queried 
Lamar Chase. 

“ Yes, unless something detains me.” 

“We want to get to see those men by seven, and 
we’ve got to have supper.” 

“ I’ll be here.” 


A STRANGE DISCOVERY 281 


By the way, did you hear anything more from 
those two chaps who ran the motor boat ? ” ques- 
tioned Lamar Chase, as he followed his companion 
out of doors. 

No.” 

“ I thought they might demand some money.’’ 

So did I. But I reckon they were pretty well 
scared.” 

It’s too bad they belong in Lakeport. Maybe 
they’ll tell some of those people of what happened.” 

I don’t think so — for if they do, it will get 
them into trouble. I am pretty sure they’ll lay low 
and say nothing. Besides, they don’t know the 
exact truth. They only helped to take care of an 
insane man, you know,” and Thomas Mason 
chuckled. 

That is true. Well, I’m off.” 

The manager of the novelty manufacturing com- 
pany turned and hurried away from the hut, mov- 
ing towards the opposite shore of the island from 
where Harry had landed. Evidently he was going 
to row to the other side of the river. 

Left to himself, Lamar Chase stood still for a 
moment. Then he took up a bucket that was handy 
and started off up the rocks. 

'' He is going for water ! ” thought Harry, and 
he remembered that the spring Shag had used was 


282 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


quite a distance from the hut. It would take the 
man all of five minutes to go for the water and 
get back. 

As soon as Lamar Chase disappeared around the 
rocks the mind of the younger Westmore boy was 
made up. Without hesitation he ran around to the 
front of the hut and then inside. 

A glance showed him a rude door, leading to the 
second apartment of the structure. This door was 
closed and propped fast by means of a stick of 
wood. Harry pulled the stick out of place and 
hauled the door open. 

The inner apartment, because of the closed-up 
window, was almost dark, and for a moment the 
boy could see next to nothing. Then, as his eyes 
became accustomed to the gloom, he made out the 
form of a man on a bunk. 

It was Andrew Akers. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


TO THE RESCUE 

Harry was not altogether astonished, for he 
had suspected that he would find the aged inventor 
here. Mr. Akers was asleep, but he awoke with a 
start. 

‘‘Don’t give me any more of that medicine!” 
he cried. “ I don’t want it, and I won’t take it I 
It makes me dizzy ! ” 

“ Mr. Akers, don’t you know me? ” asked Harry. 
“ I am one of the boys who found you when you 
fell from the biplane.” 

“ Oh ! ” The man stared at Harry and sat up. 
“Yes! yes! I know you! You are Harry West- 
more ! How did you get here ? Are you in league 
with those who are keeping me here ? ” 

“ No, I am not in league with those men,” an- 
swered the boy, quickly. “ But I haven’t time to 
talk now. Have they been keeping you a pris- 
oner? ” 

“ Yes. They say they are my friends, but I 
know better.” 


283 


284 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


“ Do you want to get away from them? ’’ 

“Of course I do ! But they won't let me go. 
They give me medicine that makes me dizzy, and 
they want me to sign papers, and " 

“ Yes, yes, I understand,” interrupted the youth. 
“But we haven’t got time to talk now. If you 
want to get away, come with me at once.” 

“ Where will you take me ? ” asked the old in- 
ventor, as he struggled to his feet. He was so 
weak that Harry had to support him. 

“ I’ll take you to my home. My folks will take 
good care of you — and you shall have what is com- 
ing to you.” 

“ Good ! I knew I could trust you from the day 
I first saw you! I will go with you. But Mason 
and Chase ” 

“ Mr. Mason has gone away and Mr. Chase just 
went off to get a pail of water. That is why we 
must hurry — ^to get away before he returns. 
Come.” 

Harry took the aged and weak man by the arm 
and led him from the hut. Then, struck by a sud- 
den idea, he ran back, closed the inner door, and 
set the stick against it as before. 

“ Maybe he won’t know you are gone for some 
time,” he told the sufferer. “ Anyway I hope so. 
Now come with me. Can you walk?” 


TO THE EESCUE 


285 


“ A short distance. I cannot go far, I am still 
too weak from my fall — and from the way they 
have been treating me. They have given me medi- 
cine that keeps me weak and sets my head in a 
whirl. They want me to sign papers I do not 
want to sign. They want to get all my property 
away from me.’’ 

They shan’t do it — not if we can help it,” an- 
swered Harry, firmly. '‘You come home with me, 
and my father and Mr. Rush will see to it that you 
obtain your rights.” 

He continued to support the old inventor, and 
both proceeded slowly in the direction of the island 
shore where Harry had landed. As they went on 
the boy kept his ears on the alert for an alarm, but 
it did not come. 

Once at the shore Harry was in a quandary, for 
he knew the old man could not leap from rock to 
rock as he had done, and it might give him his 
death of cold if he attempted to wade along the 
sandbars. 

“ If I only had a rowboat,” he murmured to 
himself. 

" Let us hide in the bushes,” suggested the old 
inventor. " I must rest.” He was out of breath 
and quite pale. 

“ Come on, just a little further,” answered the 


286 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


youth, and led the way along the shore to a thick 
patch of undergrowth. They crawled over the 
rocks and down among the bushes, and here the 
boy concluded they would be safe, at least for the 
time being. 

‘‘ I don’t believe Mr. Chase has found out yet 
that you are missing,” said Harry. “If he had, 
he’d be running around calling to you.” 

A few seconds later, while both were wondering 
what to do next, there came from down the stream 
the explosions of a motor. The sounds caused 
Harry to give a start. 

“ Si Voup’s motor boat! ” he exclaimed. ‘‘Just 
the thing! He’s got to help us, whether he wants 
to or not ! ” 

“ What is that you say ? ” asked Andrew Akers. 
He had sunk down among the bushes to rest. 

“ Mr. Akers, you stay here, and don’t make a 
sound,” went on Harry. “I am going after a 
boat, in which to take you to my home. Be sure 
to keep out of sight if Mr. Chase comes near here.” 

“You won’t forget to come back?” asked the 
old inventor, anxiously. 

“ No, I’ll be back sure,” answered the boy. 

Regardless of getting wet, he leaped from rock 
to rock and sandbar to sandbar, in a wild scramble 
to reach the main shore. Then he found his bicycle, 


TO THE RESCUE 287 

and mounting the wheel, pedaled down the road 
at top speed. 

It took Harry but a few minutes to reach the 
point opposite to where Si’s motor boat had been 
stranded. Si and Ike had just succeeded in getting 
the craft afloat, and the latter was bailing out some 
water that had leaked in, while the owner was ad- 
justing the motor. 

Hi, you ! I want to talk to you ! ” shouted the 
younger Westmore boy, and in his excitement he 
forgot all about the happenings earlier in the day. 

Hello, if he hasn’t had the nerve to come back 
here ! ” cried Ike. 

What’s the matter with you ? ” bawled Si. 

Did you come back to get our bicycles for us ? ” 

“ No, I didn’t,” answered Harry, and regardless 
of adding to his wetness he plunged into the river 
once more and waded towards the motor boat, caus- 
ing both Si and Ike to stare in amazement. “ I 
need your help, fellows, and I need it right 
away.” 

“ Why, what’s the matter ? ” demanded the rich 
bully. He could see by Harry’s actions that some- 
thing far out of the ordinary had occurred. 

There is an old man up here who is in great 
danger. He needs help at once. Si, can you run 
the motor boat up to Shag’s Island ? ” 


288 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


Why, er — I — who is the old man ? ” stammered 
Si. 

Never mind that now, Si. Come, can’t you 
run the boat to the east shore of the island? If 
you can, get busy right away, and I’ll help you if 
you’ll let me. This is no joke — it’s a matter of 
life and death,” went on Harry, earnestly. Every 
minute counts. If you help the man you may get 
a fine reward,” he added. 

‘‘ But our bicycles ” protested Ike. 

‘‘ Leave them where they are, they are safe 
enough. I left mine over there on the rocks,” and 
Harry pointed it out. 

“ And this isn’t any joke?” demanded the bully. 

Not at all, I give you my word. Come, Si, 
here is your chance to do something worth while,” 
urged Harry. But don’t lose any time, — or we 
may get there too late.” 

What’s the matter with the old man ? ” asked 
Ike, as the motor boat was turned around and those 
on board prepared to make the run between the 
rocks and sandbars to the island. 

He is in great danger. You’ll see after you 
get there.” 

Harry purposely did not mention who the suf- 
ferer was, or what the danger that threatened. He 
remembered what Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase 


TO THE EESCUE 


289 


had said about two boys in a motor boat, and he 
also remembered the fact that Si and Ike had been 
missing at the same time that Andrew Akers had 
disappeared. He wished to see Si and Ike con- 
fronted by the old inventor and hear what all might 
have to say. Maybe he might learn much concern- 
ing the first disappearance of Andrew Akers. 

Ordinarily the run up the river would have occu- 
pied but a few minutes, but with the water so low, 
those aboard had to be careful, and .consequently 
the motor was run only at half speed. Si was at 
the wheel and Harry stood at the bow, directing 
the course, while Ike had a pole in his hand, ready 
to use in case there was danger of hitting a rock 
or running up on another sandbar. 

“ Now to your left,” said the Westmore boy, 
presently. ‘‘ Head for that clump of bushes. Si, 
and shut off the power.” 

Harry’s directions were carried out, and silently 
the motor boat moved towards the shore of Shag’s 
Island. When close enough, Harry leaped out and 
prevented the craft from hitting the rocks. 

“ Hello ! ” he cried. I’m back ! Come on out, 
Mr. Akers ! ” 

At the sound of his voice there was a movement 
in the bushes and the old inventor stepped into view. 

At the sight of the old man both Si and Ike gave 


290 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


a gasp, and the rich bully turned pale. Andrew 
Akers, on his part, gazed at the boys in the motor 
boat in alarm. 

You ! ’’ he exclaimed. You ! No ! no ! Fll 
not go with you again! You helped to carry me 
off from the Runnell place 1 ” And he shrank back 
as if to hide once more. 

‘‘It’s the old man — the crazy man ! ” muttered 
Ike. 

“ So I see,” answered Si. He looked thoroughly 
uncomfortable. 

“ Wait, Mr. Akers ! ” said Harry, as he ran to 
the old inventor’s side. “ Don’t be afraid. They 
won’t hurt you.” 

“ But they helped to carry me away from the 
Runnell place,” murmured the sufferer. “ They 
took me out on a big lake and to an island. They 
are in league with Mason and Chase I ” 

“ We are not ! ” almost shouted Si. He was 
much disturbed by the unexpected turn of 
affairs. 

“ But you aided those men,” answered Andrew 
Akers, feebly. The excitement was beginning to 
tell on him. 

“ Because they said you were crazy,” answered 
Ike. “ We thought we were doing right.” 

“Of course we did,” broke in Si, eagerly. 


TO THE RESCUE 291 

“ They said you were crazy and a relative of theirs 
at that.” 

“ Well, don’t talk about that now,” broke in 
Harry. What we want to do is to get Mr. Akers 
to Lakeport, to my house. He isn’t crazy, and 
those two men have been keeping him on this island 
against his will.” 

“ I — er — I don’t know as I want to take him to 
Lakeport,” answered Si, lamely. 

“ You’d better do it. Si. If you don’t help me 
it will go that much harder with you — when it 
comes to showing up those two rascals. Chase and 
Mason, in court,” replied Harry, pointedly. 

'' We didn’t do anything wrong! ” cried the bully, 
in alarm. 

You helped those two men to carry Mr. Akers 
off.” 

‘‘ Yes, but they said they had a right to do it.” 

‘‘Never mind, they had no right to touch him. 
Now if you want to help yourself out of the mess 
the best thing you can do is to aid Mr. Akers as 
much as possible. I have promised to take him 
to my house and have him cared for. Will you run 
us over to Lakeport or not ? ” 

“ Oh, I’ll do that,” was the hasty answer. “ If 
— er — those men had no right to touch him I am — 
er — sorry I helped them.” 


292 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 

We only did what we thought was right/’ put 
in Ike, anxious to clear his own reputation. 

Harry said nothing to this, having his own 
opinion of both boys. He helped Andrew Akers 
into the motor boat, and jumped in himself, and 
the craft was shoved from the shore and poled 
around. Then Si got ready to start up his motor. 
“Stop! stop! What is the meaning* of this?” 
The cry came from down the shore, and looking 
in that direction all on board the motor boat saw 
Lamar Chase running towards them, shaking his 
fist savagely. 

“ Don’t pay any attention to him ! ” exclaimed 
Harry. “ Start her up. Si ! ” 

“ Come back here, I say ! ” roared the man on 
the shore, and now he came as close as the water 
permitted. “ Bring that man back ! ” 

“ I am not coming back ! ” answered Andrew 
Akers. 

“ Turn that motor boat in here ! ” went on Lamar 
Chase. “ Don’t you dare to carry that man off ! ” 
“ Mr. Chase, you listen to me ! ” answered Harry, 
firmly. “ You know my father, Mr. Horace West- 
more, of Lakeport. Well, I’m going to take Mr. 
Akers to our house. If you and Mr. Mason want 
to see him there, you can do so, provided my father 
is willing.” 


TO THE BESCUE 293 

‘‘Ha! what do you know of this affair?’' burst 
out Lamar Chase, half in rage and half in fear. 

“ I know a great deal — and my father and Mr. 
Rush, and some other men are going to try to 
find out a good deal more.” 

“ You can’t find out anything. That man is 
crazy.” 

“ He isn^ any more crazy than you are. Now 
if you want to do any more talking you’ll have 
to do it at our home— or in court,” concluded 
Harry. “ Go ahead. Si.” 

The motor was started up and the craft swung 
away from Shag’s Island. Si was plainly nervous, 
and in his excitement he turned on full power. 
Forward shot the boat, past a long sandbar into 
deep water. Then came a sudden crash, as the 
craft hit a submerged rock. One side of the bow 
was stove in, and in a few seconds more the motor 
boat began to fill and sink. 


CHAPTER XXIX 


PREPARING FOR THE BIG MEET 

Well, Link, I rather think we have done some 
good work with those handbills/’ 

‘‘ I think so myself, Joe. Anyway, we distrib- 
uted them as well as we could,” returned the car- 
penter’s son. “ Shall we steer for home now ? ” 
Might as well — while the weather is fine. Fred 
will want to go up to-morrow.” 

Joe and Link had been out a day and a half in 
the Skylark, scattering the handbills of the aero 
meet far and wide over the countryside. Now they 
headed for Lakeport. 

Their last stop had been at a small village located 
near the upper end of the stream in which was 
located Shag’s Island. Now, as they arose once 
again in the air, Joe, who was steering, turned the 
Skylark down the river in the direction of Pine 
Lake. 

‘‘ There is Shag’s Island ! ” cried Link, as they 
came in sight of the spot. ‘‘ Wonder if anybody 
294 


is on it ? Fve got a few more bills left. We might 
drop ’em a couple.” 

He yelled at the top of his voice and motioned to 
the island and to his bills, and his chum understood. 
Soon they were steering directly over the upper 
end of the island. They were quite low, for the 
biplane was running well, and as there was no wind, 
Joe saw no reason for going higher. 

Suddenly Link, looking down, gave a start. Then 
he looked again, and motioned for Joe to do like- 
wise. In the water below they beheld a sinking 
motor boat, containing four persons. All appeared 
to be struggling to save themselves. 

It was a most unexpected sight, and for the in- 
stant the aircraft boys did not know what to do. / 
Then Joe, without hesitation, brought the biplane 
around on a rather sharp turn and sent the craft 
downward. 

What are you going to do ? ” demanded Link, 
as the motor was shut off and all became silent. 

‘‘ Land on the water, if I can. Link, and find out 
what is wrong. Maybe we can save somebody from 
drowning.” 

“ You’ll sink the Skylark!^' 

“ I think not. There is a big sandbar. I’ll land 
her there.” 

The biplane was volplaning earthward. Close to 


296 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


the sinking motor boat was a long, wide sandbar, 
and down on this came the Skylark, the little wheels 
underneath sending the shallow water splashing in 
all directions. The aircraft came to a halt close 
to the edge of Shag’s Island. 

Why, it’s Harry ! ” burst out Link. “ And Si 
Voup and Ike Boardman!” 

‘‘ And Mr. Akers ! ” added Joe. ‘‘ How in the 
world did they get here?” 

He ran out over the rocks in the direction of 
the sinking motor boat and the carpenter’s son fol- 
lowed. The boat was slowly sliding from the rock 
it had hit to the deep water beyond. Harry had 
caught hold of Andrew Akers and was doing all 
in his power to keep the old inventor from going 
under. Si and Ike were swimming for the shore, 
bent on saving themselves. 

Keep up, Harry ! ” yelled his brother. “ We 
are coming ! ” 

At the sound of that voice the younger Westmore 
boy turned. His surprise at seeing Joe and Link 
may be imagined. But he did not cease his strug- 
gles. He continued to support the old inventor, 
who now lay exhausted in his arms. 

Half wading and half swimming, Joe and Link 
reached the spot side by side. Each placed himself 
close to Andrew Akers, and between them the three 


PEEPARING FOE THE MEET 297 

boys presently managed to gain a sandbar reaching 
to the island. Then they carried the old man to 
the shore. The struggle in the water had exhausted 
him, but otherwise he was no worse off than he 
had been before. 

“ The motor boat is done for ! ” cried Si, as he 
limped up, dripping wet, and followed by Ike. 

Well, let us be thankful that we weren’t 
drowned,” answered Harry. 

‘‘ Humph ! Somebody will have to pay for my 
boat.” 

‘‘ Where is that man ? ” burst out Ike, looking 
up and down the shore. 

All who had come from the motor boat then 
remembered Lamar Chase, and gazed around for 
him. But that individual had suddenly disap- 
peared. 

“ I guess he thought we were getting too many 
for him,” was Harry’s conclusion. 

“ Maybe he has gone to get help,” suggested Ike, 
but at this the others shook their heads. 

Of course Joe and Link wanted to know the 
particulars of what had occurred, and taking them 
out of hearing of the others, Harry related his 
story. 

“ I don’t know how guilty Si and Ike are,” he 
said. ‘‘ But they certainly aided Mason and Chase 


298 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


in carrying Mr. Akers off to Pine Island in the 
motor boat, and maybe to that hut, and then to 
this place.^’ 

This whole thing must be thrashed out after 
we get home,” decided Joe. “ The main question 
now is. How are all of us to reach Lakeport?” 

This was talked over for several minutes, and 
finally Link said he would sail the Skylark back to 
town for assistance, leaving the two Westmore 
boys to look after Andrew Akers. None of the 
lads was willing to trust Si or Ike. 

It was no mean task to get the biplane to rise 
from the sandbar, and in making the attempt the 
young aviator wet himself thoroughly by flying 
spray. But he got away successfully and at once 
headed for Lakeport. 

The news that Link brought caused much ex- 
citement, and a motor boat was at once hired by 
Mr. Westmore to bring the boys and Andrew Akers 
to town. The run to the island was made by the 
middle of the afternoon, and before dark the boys, 
including Si and Ike, were home again, and Andrew 
Akers was being cared for at the Westmore house. 
Si and Ike had little to say, and it was easy to see 
that the pair were doing a deal of thinking. 

Mr. and Mrs. Westmore had been told of the old 
inventor’s antipathy to doctors, so the family physi- 


PREPARING FOR THE MEET 299 


cian was allowed to come in as a friend only. He 
examined Mr. Akers and then left some medicine, 
which Mrs. Westmore administered. 

He needs rest and nourishment as much as 
anything,” said the doctor, especially if he is 
suffering from being drugged in some manner. 
Keep him quiet for a few days.” 

“ We’ll try to do that,” answered Mr. Westmore. 
‘‘ But he is very anxious, now he has escaped from 
those who were holding him a prisoner, to get back 
what belongs to him.” 

‘‘ Well, you can’t blame him for that. But keep 
him as quiet as you can,” said the doctor. 

The next day was an important one for the West- 
more boys and Link, and also for Si and Ike. A 
conference was held at the Rush home, and each of 
the boys was asked to tell what he knew. At first 
Si and Ike wanted to keep silent, but at last they 
broke down and confessed that they had aided Chase 
and Mason in transferring Andrew Akers to Pine 
Island. They said that the old inventor was under 
the influence of some drug at the time and that they 
had been told he was insane and that the other 
two men were his relatives. They said that on 
the trip the men had had a fight with Mr. Akers, 
and the boat had been more or less damaged. They 
had gotten in the mix-up, and after it was over 


300 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


they had been afraid to come home for several 
days. 

Were you paid for what you did ? ” asked Mr. 
Rush. 

Not a cent,” cried Si. They promised us big 
money, but we didn’t get it.” 

Did you help to take Mr. Akers from Pine 
Island to that hut on the other shore?” asked Mr. 
Westmore. 

No, sir.” 

How about going up to Shag’s Island ? ” queried 
Mr. Rush. 

‘‘ We saw Mr. Chase and Mr. Mason going up a 
couple of days ago and we followed them, thinking 
we could get some money for what we had done,” 
answered Si. “ But we missed them, and then we 
ran up on the sandbar and couldn’t get off.” 

‘‘ What about those two strange men you had 
in the motor boat, the Sunday you went up Cresco 
way ? ” asked Joe. 

Oh, those were a couple of sports we picked 
up,” and Si grew red in the face over the recollection 
of how he and Ike had gambled with those same 
fellows and lost their money. ‘‘ We soon dropped 
them,” he added. 

After that the bully and his crony were dismissed 
and then Harry told his story of going to the island 


PEEPARING FOR THE MEET 301 


and finding the old man — and of the talk between 
Mason and Chase. Then he told of the wrecking 
of the motor boat, and Joe and Link related the 
particulars of what they had done. 

One thing is certain,” said Mr. Westmore. 
“ Those rascals have been holding Mr. Akers against 
his will. On that charge alone they can be arrested 
and sent to prison. How he is to get his property 
back is another story. I think we had better get 
some first-class lawyer on the case, in spite of the 
fact that Mr. Akers doesn’t approve of the legal 
profession.” 

Well, we can’t attend to this, at least not now,” 
protested Joe. We’ve got this aero meet on our 
hands.” 

You attend to your flying contests,” answered 
his father with a smile. “ Mr. Rush and I will 
look after this other affair. Now that you have 
advertised your aero meet far and wide you must 
see to it that everything goes off without a hitch.” 
Then the boys were questioned a little further and 
finally told they could go. 

Wonder what Si and Ike will do about the 
motor boat?” questioned Fred, as he came away 
with the others. 

I don’t know and I don’t care,” answered 
Harry. They have done so many mean things it 


302 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


would serve them right to lose the boat.” But the 
motor boat was not lost. A few days later some 
boat builders were hired by Mr. Voup to raise the 
craft and repair her. This was not done so much 
on Si’s account as it was for the benefit of the Voup 
family at large, who often used the craft. 

Although the boys, especially Joe and Harry, 
wished to follow up the Akers affair, they had to 
give the most of their attention to the aero meet. 
Endless details had to be arranged, and numerous 
conferences were held with the others who were 
about to participate. In the meantime the boys 
were gratified to see that Andrew Akers was stead- 
ily gaining in strength. 

It was decided that the aero meet should be di- 
vided into two parts. The first was to be devoted 
to various contests within the big field of the Corsen 
estate, and the second to a long-distance flight be- 
tween the two monoplanes, and another similar 
flight between the two biplanes. The contests on 
the grounds were to consist of “ bomb ” dropping, 
toy-balloon catching, landing at a given spot, and 
also circling and figure-of-eight making. The boys 
also wanted to try for altitude, but their parents 
would not agree to this and it had to be dismissed. 

Anxiously did the lads watch the weather bulle- 
tins, and all were glad when fair weather was pre- 


PEEPARING FOR THE MEET 303 


dieted for the all-important day. The grounds 
were put in the best possible shape, and the grand- 
stand erected by Mr. Harrow and his workmen was 
gayly decorated with flags and banners. To add to 
the festivities of the occasion a band was hired by 
Mr. Corsen to play during the meet, and some young 
ladies, including Laura Westmore and Violet Cor- 
sen, opened a stand for ice-cream, cake, and lemon- 
ade, the proceeds to go to charity. Then the rail- 
road and the steamboat line took up the affair, and 
each announced Special Excursions to the Aero 
Meet.” 

‘‘ Well, it sure is going to be a big thing! ” cried 
Bart, when he heard of this. 

I am going to be a barker for the show ! ” cried 
Matt, and climbed upon a box that was handy. 
“ This way, ladies and gentlemen ! The grandest 
and most superb exhibition of flying in the world! 
The ever-famous Westmore brothers, in their 
death-defying swoop through the clouds! The 
Prince of the Clouds, Fred Rush! The Marvel of 
the Biplane, Signor Linobus Darrowsky ! And the 
— wow ! ” And Matt’s oration came to a sudden 
ending, as Joe pulled the box from under him and 
sent him sprawling on the grass. 

Many of the boys of Lakeport were anxious to 
take part in the meet, and they were all set to work, 


304 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 


— some to sell tickets, others to take them, — at the 
gates and the grandstand, — and still others to guard 
the fences, so that nobody might get in without pay- 
ing. Some lads from Brookside and Bralham and 
Haverford also shared in this work. The only 
lads who seemed to be left in the cold were Si and 
Ike, and this pair had nothing to say. Their par- 
ticipation in the carrying off of Andrew Akers hung- 
over them like a nightmare. 

“ If I ever get out of this scrape I’ll never get 
into another,’’ said Ike, mournfully. 

“ I’d like to know what the Westmores and the 
others are doing,” returned Si. “ This waiting is 
getting on my nerves. Every day I’m afraid that 
I am going to be arrested.” 

“ I guess we were big fools for doing what we 
did,” mused Ike. 

‘‘ We sure were, Ike.” 


CHAPTER XXX 


THE AERO MEET CONCLUSION 

‘‘Joe, just look at the crowds swarming to the 
grounds ! 

“ Seems to me everybody for fifty miles around 
has come to this exhibition ! returned the elder 
Westmore youth. 

“ And look at the carriages and autos ! Say, 
we’ve got some class ! ” cried Bart. 

“ This is certainly going to be a success from a 
financial standpoint,” was George Dixon’s com- 
ment. “ We’ll take in a good many dollars.” 

“ I hope everything passes off all right,” put in 
Harry. 

“ Well, our biplane is in perfect condition,” said 
Andy Brown, who had just been looking the Swal- 
low over. 

“ So is the Skylark/' answered Fred. 

It was only one o’clock in the afternoon and al- 
ready large crowds were coming into the enclosed 
field where the aero meet was to be held. A “ park- 
ing space ” had been set off for automobiles, and 
305 


306 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


the machines were drawn up in a long line, like so 
many cannon. The grandstand was filling up, and 
it now looked as if every seat would be taken. 
An even larger crowd drifted about. 

The barns that were now being used as hangars 
were a great center of attraction, and the young 
aviators and their assistants were kept busy answer- 
ing questions about their flying machines. Many 
were present who had never seen an aircraft at 
close range, and they looked with awe at the im- 
mense planes, the motors and propellers, and the 
rudder controls and ailerons. 

“ No tellin’ wot we be a-comin' to,’' was the 
comment of one old farmer. “ I s’pect I’ll be sendin’ 
taters to market in one of them contraptions soon ! ” 
And this caused a general laugh. 

The band was playing gayly when, at a given sig- 
nal, the two monoplanes and the two biplanes were 
wheeled out on the field. Then came a rattle and 
a roar, as one motor after another was given a 
trial. 

The first contest, that of starting from a certain 
line and landing as near to this as possible, was 
soon on. For this Link flew the Skylark while 
A1 Lemming managed the Swallozv, and two other 
contestants flew the monoplanes. There were three 
trials, each counting five points. The first was won 


THE MEET — CONCLUSION 307 

by Brookside, the second by Bralham, and the third 
by Lakeport. 

Well, we’re even with ’em anyway,” cried 
Harry, as Link came up somewhat crestfallen be- 
cause he had not done better. 

“.And Haver ford got nothing,” added Fred. 

Following this contest came that of “ bomb 
throwing,” as it was called. The “ bombs ” con- 
sisted of small round bags filled with sand, and 
they were to be dropped into white boxes placed on 
the ground about two hundred feet part. Fred 
had been selected to run the Skylark in this contest 
and he was given ten of the sandbags, each weigh- 
ing about a pound. 

“ Now do your best, Fred! ” cried Joe, when the 
contest was about to commence. All four aero- 
planes were to sail in a circle around the course, 
dropping the bags in the boxes on the way. As 
each set of bags was of a different color it would 
be easy to tell who hit the mark and who missed. 

A cheer arose when the four aircraft went up 
and commenced to circle around. Each had to 
make one complete circle before commencing to 
drop the bags. 

“ There they go! That’s the first bomb! ” 

“He missed the box!” 

“ There goes another ! That’s in ! ” 


308 THE AIRCRAFT BOYS 

“ Two more misses ! '' 

“ There go some more in ! Say, this is some 
fun, isn’t it! How would you like to get one of 
those bombs on your head, in a battle ? ” 

'' Yes, or on the top of your house? ” 

So the cries ran on as the aeroplanes circled 
around. The Lakeport boys saw with satisfaction 
that Fred had managed to land six of his sandbags 
in the boxes. Three had missed their mark. 
Now came the last, and that also went into a 
box. 

** Seven out of ten ! ” cried Harry, enthusiastic- 
ally. ‘‘ I don’t believe anybody else did better than 
that!” 

Then the judges ran forward and looked over 
the boxes and their contents. 

Seven for Lakeport, six for Haver ford, and 
four each for Bralham and Brookside! ” was the 
announcement. Lakeport wins this contest ! ” 
Hurrah ! ” came the cry from the Lakeport 
boys, and many in the grandstand waved their flags 
and banners. 

‘‘ Now to keep up the good work ! ” cried one 
of the lads, as the next contest was announced. 
This consisted of trying to catch a number of toy 
balloons as they were sent up, one after another, 
from the ground — a feat that looks easy, but which 


THE MEET — CONCLUSION 309 


is said by many aviators to be exceedingly diffi- 
cult. Each balloon captured was to count five 
points. 

Harry was in the seat of the Skylark and was 
soon circling the course, followed by the Swallow 
and the two monoplanes. Then the balloons were 
sent up, at intervals of a minute each — a score in 
all, red affairs, about a foot in diameter. 

Harry was on the alert, and seeing a balloon in^ 
his path made for it. He thought sure he had it, 
when presto ! the wind from the aircraft carried the 
balloon aboVe him, out of his reach. 

Guess ril have to go at it more slowly,” he 
muttered, and headed for another of the toy bal- 
loons. This time he approached just right, and a 
second later caught the balloon by the little whip- 
like stick dangling beneath. The crowd saw the 
movement and cheered lustily. 

Around and around sailed the four aeroplanes, 
trying to catch one balloon after another. Three 
of the balloons were smashed against the machines 
before the aviators could catch them, and several 
others soon flew so high that going after them was 
out of the question. Harry managed to catch the 
last balloon that was within reach, and another cheer 
arose. Then the flying machines came down again 
and the judges announced the result. 


310 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


‘‘ Brookside three, Lakeport two, Bralham one, 
Haverford none.” 

Hurrah ! that gives us fifteen points ! ” shouted 
George Dixon. 

And it gives us ten points,” added a Lakeport 
supporter. 

“ Poor Haverford wasn’t in it,” said another. 

“ Oh, those Bartley boys are holding back for the 
long distance contest! ” said one of their friends. 

Several other contests on the grounds followed, 
and at the conclusion of these it was found that the 
points stood as follows: 


Brookside . . . .40 

Bralham . . . -35 

Lakeport . . . -30 

Haverford . * % * *25 


We are behind 1 ” cried Harry, ruefully. ‘‘ Joe, 
you’ll have to win that long-distance race, to come 
out ahead.” 

I’ll do my best,” answered the brother. 

The first long-distance contest was that between 
the two monoplanes, which were to try a flight to 
Haverford, Bralham, and return. Both machines 
got away in good shape, and then the crowd waited 
impatiently for their return, the band playing in 


THE MEET — CONCLUSION 311 

the meantime, and Joe and his chums doing all they 
could think of to put the Skylark in condition for 
the other big race. 

‘‘ Here comes one of the monoplanes ! was the 
cry at last. 

“ It's the Haverford machine ! " said a man with 
a field glass. “ The Bralham flyer is coming, too ! " 
he added, a few seconds later. 

A cheering went up, and in the midst of this the 
Bartley monoplane arrived, coming down in the 
center of the aviation field. Three minutes later 
the Bralham machine followed. 

‘‘ The Bartley boys win ! " was the cry. ‘‘ A 
fine race ! ” 

‘‘ And now for our race! " cried Joe, and he and 
his chums ran the Skylark into position. The 
Swallow was already on the line, with George Dixon 
to manage the machine. 

The flight was to be around the lake, taking in 
Lakeport, Cresco, Brookside, and several other 
points. Both young aviators had the course well 
mapped out in their heads. 

‘‘ Oh, I hope Joe wins I " cried Laura Westmore. 

“ So do I,” returned Violet Corsen, who sat be- 
de her. 

At a given signal the motors of the two biplanes 
uere set going. Up into the air shot the flying 


312 THE AIECEAFT BOYS 


machines, each headed straight for the end of the 
lake. A faint breeze had begun to bldw and there 
was no telling how strong this would become before 
the race was ended. 

If Joe was on his mettle, so was the youth from 
Brookside, and each did his level best to get ahead 
of his rival. On and on flew the biplanes, keeping 
side by side. Then the turn at the end of the lake 
was gained, and away they whirled in the direction 
of Pleasant Point and Cresco. 

“ It’s nip and tuck,” thought Joe, as he flew on- 
ward. “ George is certainly doing his best with the 
Swallow** 

Not far from Cresco Joe got a little scare. The 
motor seemed to slow down and the Skylark began 
to drop. What could be the matter he could not 
imagine. Then came a sudden strong gust of wind 
that sent his craft up on one side. 

Had Joe lost his presence of mind he might have 
had a bad accident. But he kept his wits about him 
and soon brought the aircraft to an even keel. 
Then, just as he was sailing over Cresco, his motor 
commenced to pick up again, and off he darted like 
a streak in the direction of Brookside. 

But if he had hoped to leave the Swallow behind, 
he was mistaken. George had also felt the gust 
of wind and had had a little trouble with his con- 



“ Hurrah ! 


THE SKVLARK WINS ! ”— P«<7e 313. 








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THE MEET — CONCLUSION 313 


trols. But now he was running as freely as was 
the Lakeport boy, and he kept gaining foot by foot 
until he was a good fifty yards ahead of the 
Skylark. In this position they sailed over Brook- 
side, the crowds in the streets cheering them lustily. 

It was now a straight course for the aviation field 
and Joe felt if he was to win the race he must do 
something to increase his speed. He looked over 
his controls carefully and then worked at his motor. 
It is needless to state that George did the same. 

On the field the crowd waited with breathless 
interest. Many in the grandstand were standing 
up, and all field glasses were leveled in the direction 
of Brookside. 

Here they come ! was the cry at last, and 
instantly everybody was on the alert. . 

It’s a tie race ! ” 

‘‘ No, the Swallow is ahead ! ” 

“ It’s a neck and neck affair! ” 

These and a hundred other cries rang out, and in 
the midst of this the band struck up. Swiftly the 
two biplanes approached, and then it was seen that 
the Skylark was ahead. 

‘‘ Hurrah ! the Skylark wins ! ” 

“ Yes, but it is a pretty close race 1 ” 

''Good for Joe!” cried Harry, enthusiastically. 
" I knew he could do it ! ” 


314 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


And then amid a wild cheering the Skylark came 
down in the aviation field, to be followed twenty- 
two seconds later by the Swallow. 

Joe had won the long-distance race for biplanes, 
and the boys of Lakeport had captured the majority 
of points for the aero meet! 

It was a gala occasion for our young friends. 
Joe was surrounded and clapped on the back, and 
some wanted to even carry him on their shoulders, 
but he would not permit this. As for George, even 
though he had lost, he was congratulated on the 
fine flight he had made — having covered the total 
distance in ten minutes less than had been ex- 
pected. 

‘‘ A very fine race, boys I ” cried Mr. Corsen. 
“ And a fine meet all the way through I I am proud 
of all of you ! And then he invited all the par- 
ticipants to a big banquet to be held during the 
next week, — a banquet at which the various prizes 
that had been won would be distributed. 

“ And the best of it all was that there were no 
mishaps,'’ said Mrs. Westmore. 

“ And that we made a lot of money for charity,” 
added Harry. We sold over seven hundred dol- 
lars’ worth of plain tickets and got two hundred and 
sixty dollars extra for the grandstand.” 

** And we girls made about fifty dollars on cake 


THE MEET — CONCLUSION 315 

and ice-cream and lemonade/' said Laura. '' We 
told everybody the money was for charity and they 
simply had to buy/' 

'‘Oh, it was great!" cried Fred. "I'd like to 
have another aero meet like it ! " 

" So would I ! " added Link. 

" And win every contest," said Joe, with a smile. 

" Right you are ! " came in a chorus from the 
boys. 

And here let me add a few words more and 
then bring to a close this story of the doings of 
the boys of Lakeport. 

When the Westmore boys got home a surprise 
awaited them. They found Mr. Akers sitting up 
in a rocking-chair, talking earnestly to a well- 
dressed stranger of not quite his own age. 

" This is my cousin, Mr. Clarence Harkness, 
from California," explained the old inventor. " He 
has been hunting for me for a month and has 
just found me. I have been telling him about my 
troubles with Mason and Chase and he is going 
after them hot-footed at once. I know I can trust 
him to do just the right thing." 

" I am glad to hear this," said Mr. Westmore; 
and a long talk followed between the newcomer 
and the Westmores. 


316 THE AIBCRAPT BOYS 


The following Monday Mr. Harkness, Mr. West- 
more, and Mr. Rush went to Springfield, to inter- 
view Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase. They 
went fully prepared to “ lay down the law ’’ and 
cause the arrest of the two rascals if necessary. 

But they had an easy time of it, for both Mason 
and Chase were thoroughly scared, and willing to 
do anything to get out of the scrape in which they 
found themselves. They tried to prove that they 
had thought Mr. Akers out of his mind and were 
working for his interests, but the gentleman from 
California and the men from Lakeport would not 
listen to this. 

'' We know you thoroughly,” said Mr. Harkness, 
sternly. ‘‘We want you to give up all his prop- 
erty, and at once. If you don’t, I shall call an 
officer and have you placed under arrest.” 

“ Don’t do that ! ” cried Thomas Mason. “ I’ll 
give up everything ! ” 

“ So will I ! ” added Lamar Chase. “ It was — 
er — all a mistake ! ” And he sank back in a chair, 
all but overcome. The transfer of the stock and 
of the other papers was made that day, and later 
on came the transfer of the real estate on which 
the hut was located, where Joe had once seen the 
two men, — the hut where Andrew Akers had 
thought to build a quiet home. 


THE MEET — CONCLUSION 317 


‘‘ I think my cousin owes you something for 
what you have done for him,” said Mr. Harkness 
to Mr. Rush and Mr. Westmore, after the various 
transactions were over. 

Not at all,” said Mr. Westmore. Didn’t 
he give the boys the biplane?” 

We are glad to be of servic^ to him,” added 
Fred’s father. It may be added here that later 
on Andrew Akers built himself a modest home 
on the land he owned, and there the lads of Lake- 
port often visited him. 

“ What has become of Si and Ike? ” asked Fred 
of Joe, one day. 

“ Oh, haven’t you heard the news ? ” answered 
the other. In some way Mr. Voup and Mr. 
Boardman heard about what Si and Ike did for 
Mason and Chase, and they got awfully afraid the 
pair would be arrested. Si and Ike have been sent 
away for a vacation in Canada, and this fall both 
are to go to a strict boarding school up in New 
York State.” 

‘‘ Humph ! I hope it does ’em good,” put in 
Link. 

“ So do I,” answered Joe. It may be said here 
that Si and Ike remained at the boarding school 
a long time and when they returned home they 
were much better boys. 


318 THE AIRCEAFT BOYS 


Thomas Mason and Lamar Chase never made a 
complete confession regarding their transactions, 
but from what our friends heard they were able 
to piece out the affair quite well. 

“ Chase discovered Mr. Akers at the Runnell 
cottage and watched him,'’ said Joe, in talking the 
mystery over. “ He saw the old inventor hide his 
box in the barn and he got the box, opened it, stole 
the certificate of stock and other papers, and put 
those worthless sheets in their places. Then he 
went to Mason and told that man of what he had 
done. Mason offered him two thousand dollars, 
but Chase held off for more. When we went to 
Springfield — Fred and I — Mason didn’t know 
whether to say Mr. Akers had any stock in the 
company or not, for he was not sure he would get 
the certificate from Chase.” 

“ Yes, and then they went a step farther and 
planned to carry the old gentleman off, and did it, 
and Si and Ike came along just in time to help 
them,” added Fred. 

The banquet of the Pine Lake Aviation Club, 
as it was called, was a grand affair, and when Joe 
received the chief prize, in behalf of the young 
aviators of Lakeport, he felt very proud. He was 
called on to make a speech and did so, praising all 
who had taken part in the memorable meet. Then 


THE MEET-CONCLUSION 319 


followed a cheer for Lakeport and for all the other 
participants in the meet. Then of a sudden came 
a hush, and Bart stepped forward and called up 
Mr. Corsen. 

You have been our best friend, Mr. Corsen,’’ 
said the big youth. ‘‘ You helped us at baseball, 
football, at rowing, at autoing, and at flying. In 
behalf of my fellow members of this Aviation 
Club in general, and in behalf of the members 
from Lakeport in particular, I take great pleasure 
in notifying you that you have been unanimously 
elected an honorary member of this club, and I am 
more than pleased to present you with this, the 
first badge of the organization, and trust you will 
do us the honor to wear it.” And then Bart passed 
over a beautiful badge of gold, — a tiny model of 
an aeroplane, suitably engraved with names and 
date. The badge was accepted with pleasure by 
the gentleman who had done so much for the lads 
of Lakeport; and then followed a cheering that 
lasted for several minutes. 

Great, wasn’t it?” said Fred, when he and his 
chums were returning home. 

It was immense ! ” answered Harry. 

The best ever ! ” murmured Joe. He looked 
around at his friends. Tell you what, fellows, 


320 THE AIECRAFT BOYS 


Lakeport is just the dandy place to live in, isn’t 
it?” 

That’s what it is ! ” came in a chorus. And 
here let us leave our young friends, wishing them 
all well. 


THE END 




THE LAKEPORT SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 

THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT 

Or The Island Camp 

321 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 

A BRIGHT, breezy, outdoor story, telling how several lads organized 
a gun club and went camping in the winter time. They had with 
them a trusty old hunter who revealed to them many of the secrets of 
Nature as found in the woods. A volume any boy who loves a gun 
will appreciate. 

This story of camping' and hunting will appeal to every American boy.-» 
Regist$rt New Haven^ Conn, 

VOLUME TWO 

THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT 

Or The Winning Run 

315 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 

Tj^ITfl the coming of summer the boys turned their attention to 
baseball and organized a club, and played many thrilling games. 
The rivalry was of the keenest, and the particulars are given of a plot 
to injure the Lakeport nine and make them lose the most important 
game of all. 

Will appeal to every healthy American hoj,—Amerieanf Baltimore^ Md. 

VOLUME THREE 

THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT 

Or The Water Champions 

300 pages illustrated Price $1.25 

T his time the scene is shifted to the lake. The boys all know how 
to row and sail a boat, and they organize a club and have fun 
galore. During a squall on the lake something of great value is lost 
overboard. The abduction of a little girl adds to the interest of the 
volume. Every lad who loves the water will read this volume with 
pleasure. 

This author knows how to please red-blooded lads*— Albany, 

N.r, 


THE LAKEPORT SERIES 


By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME FOUR 


THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT 

Or More Gods Than One 

Illustrated by Arthur 0. Scott 12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 


OOTBALL is one of the most popular sports of this country, and in 



^ this tale Mr. Stratemeyer has shown what the jolly and dauntless boys 
of Lakeport did when the football season came around. Their heroes of 
the baseball field were not long in organizing an eleven and getting into 
practice, and there followed a series of exciting contests for the Lake 
Pennant. The boys had a college man to coach them, and made a 
number of brilliant plays, some of which are described by the author in 


detail. 


“A rattling good story.” — San Francisco Chronicle. 

“It is just such a book as Mr. Stratemeyer excells in writing.” — Union, Springs 
field. Mass. 

‘‘Boys who love football will enjoy reading this volume.” — Capital, DesMoines, 

la. 


VOLUME FIVE 

THE AUTOMOBILE BOYS OF LAKEPORT 
Or A Run for Fun and Fame 

Illustrated 12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 


H OW the lads of Lakeport got their big touring car, how they went on 
a long trip through the hills, and how they won a peculiar race, is 
told in a manner to please both young and old. Once the machine was 
almost consumed in a fire, and again it was stolen by some rivals who 
carried it away on a flatboat to an island. Mr. Stratemeyer is a motorist 
himself and therefore understands his subject thoroughly. 

“The author of the Lakeport Series, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, is well known for 
hit delightful boys* stories.” — Philadelphia Ledger. 

“The Lakeport Series, by Edward Stratemeyer, is the lineal descendant of 
the better class of boys’ books of a generation ago.” — Christian Advocate, New 
Fork. 

“The Lakeport Series will be fully as popular as the author’s Dave Porter 
Series.” — San Francisco Call. 


DAVE PORTER SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
12mo Cloth Illustrated $1.25 per volume 


Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more 
popular hero than Dave Porter. He is a typical boy, 
manly, brave, always ready for a good time if it can be 
obtained in an honorable way. — Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 
Wis. 

“ Edward Stratemeyer’s ‘ Dave Porter’ has become 
exceedingly popular .” — Boston Globe, 

**Dave and his friends are nice, manly chaps,*’— 
Times-Democrat, New Orleans. 

DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL 

Or the Schooldays of an American Boy 

DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS 

•Or The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel 
DAVE PORTER’S RETURN TO SCHOOL 
Or Winning the Medal of Honor 

DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH 

Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy 

DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES 

Or For the Honor of Oak Half 
DAVE PORTER AT STAR RANCH 

Or The Cowboy’s Secret 
DAVE PORTER AND HIS RIVALS 

Or the Chums and Foes of Oak Hall 



LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Publishers, Boston 


PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMBYER 


VOLUME ONE 

LOST ON THE ORINOCO 

Or American Boys in Venezuela 

12010 Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 

T his volume tells of five American youths, who, with their tutor, sail 
from New York to La Guayra, touching at Curasao on the way. 
They visit Caracas, go westward to the Gulf of Maracaibo and lake of 
the same name, and at last find themselves in the region of the mighty 
Orinoco, and of course they have some exciting experiences, one of which 
gives name to the book. 

Its pictures of South American life and scenery are novel and instructive.-* 
The t,iterary Worlds Boston. 

The scenes described are of the sort to charm the hearts of adventurous boys.— 
The Outlook, N, T, . • 

■. 5 (' 

VOLUME TVO ? 

THE YOUNG VOLCANaiMPLORERS 

Or American Boys in the West Indies 

12nio Cloth Illustrated Price j^l >25 

T he boy^, with their tutor, sail from Vcaezuela to the West Indies, 
stopping at Jamaica, Cuba, Hayti, and Porto Rico. They have 
numerous adventures on the way, and then set out for St. Pierre, Mar- 
tinique, where they encounter the effects of the eruption of-Mt. Pelee, 
and two of the boys are left on a raft to shift for themselves. Life in the 
West Indies is well portrayed. 

VOLUME THREE 

YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS 
Or American Boys in Central America 

306 pages Cloth Illustrated by A. B. 5hute Price $1.25 

R elates adventures in a tour covering Nicaragua, Costa Rica, 
and the Isthmus of Panama. The party travel the various canal 
routes, and have a number of highly interesting experiences. The vol- 
ume contains a vast amount of timely information, and will be read with 
interest by young men as well as boys. 


PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEflEYER 


VOLUME FOUR 

YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON 
Or American Boys in Brazil 

300 pages 12mo Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price, $1.25 

^HE five boys and their tutor travel the whole seacoast from Rio de 

* Janeiro to Para, and then move up the Amazon. The volume is 
filled with pen-pictures of life as it exists in Brazil to-day. 

“The Pan-American Series by Edward Stratemeyer has been declared 1^ the 
boys of this country to be the most up-to-date of all reading for the young. Filled 
with action and good fellowship.” — Waver ley Magazine^ 

VOLUME FIVE 

TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES 

Or American Boys in Peru 

310 pages Illustrated by Charles Nuttall Price, $1.25 

^HIS volume takes the young explorers from the head of the Amazon 

* River to the coast" of Peru and then into the mighty snow-topped 
mountains. One of .the boys obtains possession of a secret regarding a 
Spanish treasure and, with a companion, goes in quest of the same. 

“Mr'. Stratemeyer (has acquired the art of weaving a good deal of solid infor- 
mation with his web of startling adventure .” — San Francisco Bulletin. 

VOLUME SIX 

CHASED ACROSS THE PAMPAS 

Or American Boys in Argentina and 
Homeward Bound 

Illustrated 12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 

^HIS final volume in the “Pan-American Series” gives a true-to-life 
I picture of doings in the southern portion of South America. A volume 
filled with adventure and also packed with useful information. 


MEXl^l-., WAR SERIES 

By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 


VOLUME ONE 

FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 


M uch is told here of Sam Houston, Davy 
Crockett, Colonel Bowie, and other Texan 
heroes in connection with the entertaining story 
of the fortunes of two brothers, Dan and Ralph 
Radbury. The fall of the Alamo is introduced, 
and other famous incidents. 

VOLUME TWO 

WITH TAYLOR ON THE 

RIO GRANDE 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 



A S with each of the series, this is a complete story, but continues the 
adventures of the patriotic young Radbury brothers. They serve 
under General Taylor at Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista and share 
in the glory of “Old Rough and Ready.” 


VOLUME THREE 


UNDER SCOTT IN MEXICO 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 

I N the concluding volume of this valuable historical series Dan and 
Ralph come under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott and finally 
bear their part in the triumphant entry of the proud city of Mexico. 


These books were first issued under a pen name and by another 
publisher. We have now placed them in the regular list of this unequaled 
writer for boys, with an entirely new cover design in keeping with the 
uniformly rich appearance of our Stratemeyer books. 


“There are few live boys in tne country who have not read the intensely 
interestinc' books of Mr. Stratemeyer, and who do not have a warm place in their 
hearts for nim. No living American writer of boys’ books is so widely read, and 
none so sure of a cordial welcome for everything that comes from his pen.”— 
Chicago News, 




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ODDEOflSESbS 


